Concurrent enchondroma and periosteal chondroma of the humerus mimicking chondrosarcoma

Juxtacortical Chondroma of the Hand: Treatment by Resection of the Tumour and the Adjacent Bone Cortex

A recurrence of a juxtacortical chondroma of the finger after marginal excision prompted us to review the treatment of this condition. Although the recommended treatment is simple curettage or marginal excision, the reported recurrence rate is significantly higher for lesions in the hand than those in other locations and recurrences only occurred in patients who had local treatments which did not include excision of the adjacent bone cortex.

We report five patients with juxtacortical chondroma of the fingers. The first patient underwent marginal excision without resection of the underlying bone cortex. The other four patients underwent intralesional, marginal or wide excisions of tumour with resection of the bone cortex underlying the lesion. Recurrence was only seen in the patient who did not undergo resection of the bone cortex. Resection of the underlying bone cortex after excision of this tumour may be advisable for the treatment of this tumour in the hand to reduce the rate of recurrence.

Imaging features of juxtacortical chondroma in children

BACKGROUND

Juxtacortical chondroma is a rare benign bone lesion in children. Children usually present with a mildly painful mass, which prompts diagnostic imaging studies. The rarity of this condition often presents a diagnostic challenge. Correct diagnosis is crucial in guiding surgical management.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristic imaging findings of juxtacortical chondroma in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified all children who were diagnosed with juxtacortical chondroma between 1998 and 2012. A single experienced pediatric radiologist reviewed all diagnostic imaging studies, including plain radiographs, CT, MR and bone scans.

RESULTS

Seven children (5 boys and 2 girls) with juxtacortical chondroma were identified, ranging in age from 6 years to 16 years (mean 12.3 years). Mild pain and a palpable mass were present in all seven children. Plain radiographs were available in 6/7, MR in 7/7, CT in 4/7 and skeletal scintigraphy in 5/7 children. Three lesions were located in the proximal humerus, with one each in the distal radius, distal femur, proximal tibia and scapula. Radiographic and CT features deemed highly suggestive of juxtacortical chondroma included cortical scalloping, underlying cortical sclerosis and overhanging margins. MRI features consistent with juxtacortical chondroma included isointensity to skeletal muscle on T1, marked hyperintensity on T2 and peripheral rim enhancement after contrast agent administration. One of seven lesions demonstrated intramedullary extension, and 2/7 showed adjacent soft-tissue edema.

CONCLUSION

Juxtacortical chondroma is an uncommon benign lesion in children with characteristic features on plain radiographs, CT and MR. Recognition of these features is invaluable in guiding appropriate surgical management.

The imaging of cartilaginous bone tumours. I. Benign lesions

Benign cartilage tumours of bone are the most common benign primary bone tumours and include osteochondroma, (en)chondroma, periosteal chondroma, chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma. These neoplasms often demonstrate typical imaging features, which in conjunction with lesion location and clinical history, often allow an accurate diagnosis. The aim of this article is to review the clinical and imaging features of benign cartilage neoplasms of bone, as well as the complications of these lesions.

Concurrent periosteal chondroma and enchondroma of the fibula mimicking chondrosarcoma

We present a rare concurrence of enchondroma and periosteal chondroma in the right distal fibula that mimicked chondrosarcoma in a 13-year-old boy. Radiographs and CT scans showed a periosteal lesion producing saucerization without periosteal reaction and calcification in the distal metaphysis of the right fibula. MRI showed an intramedullary lesion adjacent to the periosteal lesion, although it was invisible at CT. There was no cortical breach on imaging and gross examination. Because both lesions represented benign cartilaginous tumors on histology, concurrent periosteal chondroma and enchondroma of the fibula was diagnosed. This combination in the same bone in a patient without enchondromatosis is exceedingly rare. Such imaging features may be confused with those of chondrosarcoma.

Periosteal chondroma presenting as a subcutaneous mass in the thumb

We describe an unusual case of periosteal chondroma of the distal phalanx in the left thumb presenting as a subcutaneous mass in an 81-year-old woman. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a subcutaneous lesion with hypointensity on T1-weighted images and marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, eroding the underlying cortical bone. Computed tomographic (CT) scans showed an erosive change in the dorsal cortex of the distal phalanx. Bone tumors arising from bone surface should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous finger masses.