Multiple giant cell tumors in a patient with gulf war syndrome

Abstract

'Persian Gulf syndrome' refers to a group of clinical findings found in military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War. The most commonly reported symptoms include chronic fatigue, headache, and neurologic disorders. Recently, new information has linked Whipple's disease and Ki-1 anaplastic large cell lymphoma to this syndrome. Presented here is an unusual case of multiple giant cell tumors of the hand in a patient with documented Persian Gulf syndrome. The epidemiologic significance between these two entities is unclear, because this is a single reported case. However, the practical message is clear. Physicians must meticulously evaluate patients who are veterans of the Persian Gulf conflict to further our understanding and confirm the existence of this syndrome.