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

ABSTRACT

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.