Focal periosteal chondroma of the hand: a review of 24 cases.

INTRODUCTION

Periosteal chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumour that is less common than enchondroma and rarely arises at the hand.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We report a retrospective review of 24 patients with focal periosteal chondroma of the hand and a mean follow-up of seven years and four months. The 13 females and 11 males had a mean age of 41 years and three months.

RESULTS

Radiographs performed to investigate a hard lump on a finger established the diagnosis in 23 (95.8%) patients, and histological documentation was obtained consistently. The proximal and distal phalanges were the most common sites of involvement. The tumour recurred in a single patient, a 10-year-old child, 10 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

No other complications were recorded. Tumour excision and curettage of the lesion are the suggested treatments for periosteal chondroma. Most recurrences occur early after initial surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.