Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Development of a Rabbit Chronic-Like Rotator Cuff Injury Model for Study of Fibrosis and Muscular Fatty Degeneration
Published on: March 31, 2023
Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath Developed over Chimeric-Free Latissimus Dorsi and Serratus Anterior Muscle Flaps
Athanasios Karonidis1, Akrivi Kostopoulou2, Sofia Pappa2
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery, Burns Unit and Reference Centre for Melanoma, General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," Athens, Greece.
This article describes a rare case of giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) that was developed over the substance of chimeric-free latissimus dorsi and -serratus -anterior muscle flaps performed for lower limb reconstruction. To our knowledge, development of GCTTS over a free flap is first described in the literature. A 71-year-old -woman was presented with a large protuberant ulcerated tumor mass that was developed over the substance of chimeric free muscle flaps at the foot and ankle. We performed an extensive tumor resection, and the pathology report confirmed the presence of a primary giant cell tumor. The patient was advised to have a below-knee amputation. However, the patient refused the amputation, and 4 months later, she was presented with a metastatic mass proximally at the upper thigh. We believe that the GCTTS was associated with the chronic inflammation of the soft tissue and bones along with the recurrent episodes of infection, mainly due to proteus mirabilis and proteus syndrome (PS). PS may lead to the development of malformations and overgrowth of different tissues in unusual locations. In cases resistant to antibiotics, the radical surgical debridement should be considered as the most effective treatment.
This article describes a rare case of giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) that was developed over the substance of chimeric-free latissimus dorsi and -serratus -anterior muscle flaps performed for lower limb reconstruction. To our knowledge, development of GCTTS over a free flap is first described in the literature. A 71-year-old -woman was presented with a large protuberant ulcerated tumor mass that was developed over the substance of chimeric free muscle flaps at the foot and ankle. We performed an extensive tumor resection, and the pathology report confirmed the presence of a primary giant cell tumor. The patient was advised to have a below-knee amputation. However, the patient refused the amputation, and 4 months later, she was presented with a metastatic mass proximally at the upper thigh. We believe that the GCTTS was associated with the chronic inflammation of the soft tissue and bones along with the recurrent episodes of infection, mainly due to proteus mirabilis and proteus syndrome (PS). PS may lead to the development of malformations and overgrowth of different tissues in unusual locations. In cases resistant to antibiotics, the radical surgical debridement should be considered as the most effective treatment.
