Abstract
Background Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a benign tumor of peripheral nerves, most commonly
reported in the median nerve, and often associated with carpal tunnel symptoms. There
have been nearly 200 reported cases of LFH in the median nerve, but to the authors’
knowledge, this 10-year-old girl represents the first case report involving the palmar
cutaneous branch.
Methods An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed via a standard midline palmar incision.
The tumor was found encapsulating the palmar cutaneous branch, and thus it was sacrificed.
Results The incision healed without issue, but the patient reported numbness in the palm
of her hand as was expected.
Conclusion LFH is a benign tumor, although it can cause symptoms due to mass effect. If the
diagnosis is uncertain or a patient is symptomatic, excisional biopsy can be performed
even if involving a cutaneous nerve.
Keywords
lipofibromatous hamartoma - hamartoma - palmar cutaneous branch - median nerve - median
nerve tumor
