Solitary enchondroma of the phalanx

Simple curettage and allogeneic cancellous bone chip impaction grafting in solitary enchondroma of the short tubular bones of the hand

Enchondroma is the most common bone tumor in the hand. While standard surgical procedure is intra-lesional excision and bone grafting, there is a dispute between allogeneic bone, autogenous bone, and synthetic bone substitute grafting. Diverse adjuvant treatments have been introduced to reduce recurrence, but results are mixed with controversies. Meanwhile, whether existing descriptive classification could predict treatment outcome remains unclear. Thus, we reviewed patients with solitary enchondroma of the hand who underwent simple curettage followed by allogeneic cancellous bone chip impaction grafting. Eighty-eight patients with more than 5 years of follow-up were enrolled. Demographic data, local recurrence, and complications were reviewed. Duration of consolidation and the difference according to Takigawa classification were assessed. Range of motion (ROM), and functional scores were also evaluated. There were 51 women and 37 men, with a mean age of 37.9 years. Mean follow-up was 10.2 years. Recurrence occurred only in one patient. There was no complication. Mean postoperative total active motions of fingers and thumb were 239° and 132.9°. Mean modified Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand score, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score were 1.63, and 99.2 at the last follow-up. Consolidation, ROM, and functional scores according to Takigawa classification showed no significant differences. This study suggests that simple curettage with impaction grafting of allogeneic cancellous bone chip is a feasible method for treating solitary enchondromas involving short tubular bone of the hand with good long-term outcomes. Postoperative recurrence and complication rates were very low. Radiographic and clinical results were good regardless of the previous radiological classification.

Unusual ultrasound diagnosis of hair implantation osteomyelitis of the thumb

Osteomyelitis is a challenging condition to diagnose and successfully treat. A clinician diagnosing osteomyelitis is reliant on relevant aspects of clinical history, inflammatory markers and radiological imaging such as X-rays, CT and contrast MRI. The confirmation of the presurgical diagnosis is made from microbiological analysis of the bone biopsy and/or histological analysis for features of inflammatory changes. An ultrasound scan is generally thought to have less value in osteomyelitis diagnosis due to its inability to interrogate bone. However, this investigation can be helpful in detecting the site and size of soft tissue collections secondary to osteomyelitis and the presence of any associated foreign bodies. We present a case where an ultrasound scan played a key role in supporting the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the thumb in a dog groomer. This is the first reported case of hair implantation osteomyelitis presenting without a cutaneous sinus.

Mallet Finger Fracture through Enchondroma of the Distal Phalanx

A 46-year-old man injured his ring finger and developed a mallet deformity. Radiographs showed a mallet finger fracture through an osteolytic lesion of the distal phalanx. Magnetic resonance imaging showed low intensity on T1-weighted imaging and high intensity on T2-weighted imaging, which suggested the clinical diagnosis of enchondroma. The bone tumor was excised, and osteosynthesis was performed using Ishiguro's extension block pinning, and a flexion block pin was added to prevent flexor tendon avulsion fracture through the enchondroma, followed by an autologous iliac cancellous bone graft. One year after surgery, the patient had no pain or extension lag of the affected ring finger, and his quickDASH score was 0 points. Radiographs showed no recurrence and minimal arthritic change of the distal interphalangeal joint. One-stage treatment of a mallet finger fracture through an enchondroma using Ishiguro's method was effective.

The management and surgical intervention timing of enchondromas: A 10-year experience

Enchondroma, reportedly the most common primary tumor of the long bones of the hand, usually develops during the first till fourth decades of life. However, there has no consensus been reached regarding the surgical intervention timing for these patients. We aim to evaluate the optimal surgical intervention timing for the patients with fractures due to enchondromas, investigate the impact of pathological fractures on the treatment and outcomes in these patients.Medical records and X-rays of patients treated for enchondroma of the hand from 2005 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. We collected 148 cases in total and 92 of them had complete information including X-rays, medical records, and files of follow up.There were no significant differences in terms of consolidation time after surgery, recurrence rate, and DASH scores between the groups with and without fractures; the treatment costs were higher in the group with fractures than those without fractures; however, patients without fractures were able to resume work earlier than those with fractures.The pathological fractures associated with enchondromas have no significant impact on the treatment outcomes compared to those with simple nonfractured enchondromas. Although the cost was more expensive for patients treated primarily with pathological fractures due to enchondromas, these patients could resume their work normally much earlier than those treated by delayed surgery. Early surgical intervention is recommended for better results and no increased risks for patients with pathological fractures caused by enchondromas.

Imaging Diagnosis of Solitary Tumors of the Phalanges and Metacarpals of the Hand

OBJECTIVE

Tumors and tumorlike lesions of the tubular bones of the hand, often incidentally discovered lesions, present a unique but challenging differential diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Imaging, including both radiography and cross-sectional imaging, can allow the radiologist to generate a clinically useful differential diagnosis based on the distinguishing features of these entities. Recognition of these lesions is important because clinical management and treatment by orthopedic oncologists vary depending on the diagnosis.

Treatment of pathologic fractures

Pathologic fractures occur in bone weakened by a disease process. In the hand, the most common cause of pathologic fracture is a solitary enchondroma, although many other less common causes exist, including bone cysts, benign and malignant tumors, and other rarer entities. Arriving at a correct diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. If the fracture seems the result of a benign process, the fracture can be allowed to heal prior to definitive treatment of the underlying lesion. Fractures associated with aggressive or malignant lesions require more urgent treatment, although the overall prognosis for pathologic fracture due to malignancy is poor.

An alternative technique for the management of phalangeal enchondromas with pathologic fractures

PURPOSE

Enchondroma of the hand with a pathologic fracture is generally treated by tumor curettage and bone grafting after the fracture has healed. However, delayed surgery postpones definitive diagnosis and prolongs the period of disability. We have treated pathologic fractures in a single stage through a modified lateral surgical approach with curettage of the tumor and stabilization using injectable calcium sulfate cement. The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of treatment with this material and the modified approach.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2010, we enrolled 8 patients with solitary hand enchondromas and pathologic fractures. The surgical procedure involved a lateral approach, an extended lateral cortical window, thorough tumor evacuation, and reconstruction of the bone defects using commercially available injectable calcium sulfate cement. We performed evaluations before surgery and in the postoperative follow-up series by radiographs and clinical assessments, including measurement of joint motion by goniometry and a visual analog pain scale.

RESULTS

The average time of follow-up was 19 months (range, 12-36 mo). The pathologic fractures of all patients healed clinically and radiographically within 8 weeks after surgery, and the mean active motion arcs of the metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints of the involved digit were 90° and 94°, respectively at 3-month follow-up. All patients returned to ordinary daily activities without obvious pain by 3 months postoperatively. We found no major complications, such as unacceptable alignment, nonunion, infection, or tumor recurrence, during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the outcomes of early management of phalangeal enchondromas with pathologic fractures using a lateral approach and injectable calcium sulfate cement for reconstruction. This combined approach avoided the need for supplemental internal fixation, allowed early mobilization, and resulted in minimal joint stiffness.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.