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Synovial sarcoma of the brachial plexus: case report
Farhad Pirouzmand1, Kavya Kommaraju, Kenneth J Craddock
1Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Farhad.Pirouzmand@sunnybrook.ca
Neurosurgery
|July 23, 2011
Summary
Synovial sarcoma (SS) rarely affects the brachial plexus. This case highlights a slow-growing SS of the brachial plexus, showing no recurrence after incomplete excision without adjuvant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare malignant soft-tissue tumor.
- Brachial plexus involvement by SS is exceptionally uncommon.
- Understanding SS in this anatomical location is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of a growing right subclavicular mass.
- Symptoms included radiating pain down the arm with a positive Tinel sign.
- Physical examination revealed a firm supraclavicular mass without neurological deficits.
Findings:
- Pathological diagnosis confirmed Synovial Sarcoma.
- The patient underwent partial mass excision.
- No adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy was administered post-surgery.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potentially slow clinical progression for some brachial plexus SS.
- Incomplete resection may yield favorable outcomes in select SS cases.
- Further research into SS behavior in the brachial plexus is warranted.
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