“Universal Tumor” for a Reason, Uncommon Lipoma over Thumb

Abstract

Lipomas are benign, mesenchymal neoplasms generally present in areas of abundant adipose tissue and account for approximately 16% of soft-tissue mesenchymal tumors.  They can be found anywhere in the body as it is known as a universal tumor with a majority of  15-20% located in the head and neck region and shoulder and back. Lipomas are uncommon in the hand, and which involve the fingers are very rare accounting for only  1%. The first patient reported with a lipoma of the finger was by Stein in 1959. The clinical presentation can vary depending on its location, presenting as a painless slowly growing mass, that affects the mobility of the finger due to its size, it may also cause neurologic changes in the peripheral nerves of the hand due to compression and leading to disfigurement. We present a case of a 41-year-old male present with a  lipoma over the proximal phalanx of the left thumb leading to a diagnostic dilemma as it is a rare presentation.