Soft tissue chondromas in the hand.

Benign chondromas are rare soft tissue tumors of the hand. Five cases are presented. These tumors are generally seen as a painless lump, easily removed, as shown in three cases. Two additional patients had pain and stiffness at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. They demonstrate the occasional difficulty in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis, requiring a more extensive exposure at surgery as they can extend in various directions and may involve the tendon sheath or joint.