Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: a case report with novel pathophysiologic aspects

Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica (Trevor's Disease) in Children, Two New Cases: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Literature Review

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH), also known as Trevor’s disease, is a rare nonhereditary skeletal disorder affecting one side of the epiphyses or the epiphyses-equivalents. It is often misdiagnosed for traumatic injuries, infections, or other tumors because of the nonspecific clinical features. The diagnosis is mostly based on radiographic involvement of one half of the epiphysis displaying an overgrowth; it is hard to distinguish between DEH and osteochondroma on the gross hystopathological exam. There are few immunohistochemical markers, as well as genetic tests, for EXT1 and EXT2 gene expression that can reveal a more accurate diagnosis. No evidence of malignant changes has been reported and no hereditary transmission or environmental factor has been incriminated as an etiological factor. The natural history of the disease is continuous growth of the lesions until skeletal maturity. Without treatment, the joint might suffer degenerative modification, and the patient can develop early onset osteoarthritis. In the present paper, we report two new cases of DEH of the ankle. The aim of this paper is to consider Trevor’s disease when encountering tumoral masses in the epiphyses of pediatric patients and to present our treatment approach and results.

Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica (Trevor Disease) of the Patella: A Case Report

CASE

We report a rare case of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica in an 11-year-old male child involving the patella. The patient noticed swelling in the right knee 6 months before presentation. On evaluation, there was a mass lesion originating from superior pole of the patella extending into the suprapatellar pouch. On opening the knee joint, it was found to be mainly cartilaginous in nature. Surgical excision of the mass was carried out.

CONCLUSION

Trevor disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass originating from the patella in children. The recommended treatment is complete excision of the mass.

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: a histological comparative study with osteochondromas

PURPOSE

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) is a rare developmental disorder resulting in epiphyseal overgrowth. Based on histological appearance, it is often described as an osteochondroma or osteochondroma-like lesion, although clinical differences exist between DEH and osteochondromas. The aim of this study was to test whether DEH and osteochondromas are histologically identical diseases.

METHODS

Tissue samples of two age- and gender-matched cases with DEH and hereditary multiple exostoses were histologically compared. Sections were stained with Safranin-O for detection of proteoglycans and immunohistochemistry was performed for detection of collagen type II, collagen type X as a marker of hypertrophic chondrocytes and Sox9 as a marker of proliferative chondrocytes. Due to the rarity, descriptions of the included DEH patients were outlined.

RESULTS

Histologically, chondrocyte clusters in a fibrillary matrix, a thick disorganised cartilage cap and ossification centres with small amounts of unabsorbed cartilage, were observed in DEH. In contrast, cartilage organisation of osteochondromas displays characteristics of the normal growth plate. Collagen type II was clearly detected in the cartilaginous extracellular matrix in osteochondromas, while weak expression was observed in DEH. Collagen type X was not detected in DEH, while expressed in the matrix surrounding hypertrophic chondrocytes in osteochondromas. Sox9 staining was positive in hypertrophic chondrocytes in osteochondromas, while expressed in nuclei of chondrocyte clusters in DEH.

CONCLUSION

Both morphological and immunohistological differences were observed in histological sections of DEH and osteochondromas. These results support the previously identified clinical, radiological and genetic differences and imply a different aetiology between DEH and osteochondroma formation.

Arthroscopic Treatment of 2 Consecutive Cases of Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica of the Ankle: A 5-Year Follow-Up Report

The dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology consisting in an abnormal osteocartilaginous growth at the epiphysis, usually hemimelic with histological findings similar to benign osteochondroma. In this case series, we described the results of the arthroscopic treatment of 2 consecutive cases of intra-articular ankle localization of DEH in 2 patients aged 9 and 10 years. The good result obtained, persistent at the 5-year follow-up, leads us to consider the arthroscopic approach as a reliable treatment in patient affected by intra-articular ankle DEH.

Osteochondroma and Spinal Cord Compression in a Patient With Hereditary Multiple Exostoses: A Case Report

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report was to describe the presentation of a patient with hereditary multiple exostoses and thoracic spinal cord compression from an osteochondroma.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 31-year-old female presented to a chiropractic clinic with a history of hereditary multiple exostoses and back pain that had existed since the age of 16 years. She had a past medical history that was remarkable for 3 prior surgeries for mass removal. Examination revealed a left upper midscapular mass with decreased sensation.

INTERVENTION/OUTCOME

Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and biopsy led to a diagnosis of osteochondroma. These diagnostic modalities confirmed that there was no malignant degeneration. Initial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large expansive lesion involving the left posterior elements at the region of T3-T4. Subsequent thoracic hemilaminectomy and resection of the spinal tumor with posterior instrumentation and stabilization from T2-T5 resulted in 90% overall subjective improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

A detailed case history, thorough examination, guided advanced imaging, and biopsy provide important information for the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of expansive lesions in patients with hereditary multiple exostoses.

Novel case of Trevor’s disease: Adult onset and later recurrence

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH), or Trevor’s disease, is an osteocartilaginous epiphyseal overgrowth typically occurring in children. The literature reports 6 adult cases and none describe recurrence requiring additional procedures. We present a new-onset proximal tibial DEH in an adult recurring approximately 3 years after open excision. A 39-year-old female presented with a history of right knee pain, swelling, and instability. Physical examination revealed a firm proximal tibial mass. Computed tomography (CT) imaging showed an exophytic, lobulated, sclerotic mass involving the anterolateral margin of the lateral tibial plateau. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of an osteochondroma. The patient underwent curettage of the lesion due to its periarticular location. Histology revealed benign and reactive bone and cartilage consistent with periosteal chondroma. Two and a half years later, the patient presented with a firm, palpable mass larger than the initial lesion. CT revealed a lateral tibial plateau sclerotic mass consistent with recurrent intra-articular DEH. A complete excision was performed and histology showed sclerotic bone with overlying cartilage consistent with exostosis. DEH is a rare epiphyseal osteocartilaginous outgrowth frequently occurring in the long bones of children less than 8 years old. DEH resembles an osteochondroma due to its pediatric presentation and similar histologic appearance. Adult-onset cases comprise less than 1% of reported cases. Recurrence rate after surgical intervention is unknown. Only 1 such case, occurring in a child, has been described. Clinicians contemplating operative treatment for DEH should note the potential for recurrence and consider complete excision. A follow-up period of several years may be warranted to identify recurrent lesions.

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica of the lower limb

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by osteocartilaginous overgrowth in one or more epiphyses. The disease usually involves a single limb or is hemimelic (lateral or medial compartment), and lower extremities are more frequently affected than upper extremities. Here we present clinical and radiological findings for a male DEH patient at 1.5 and 3.5 years of age. The radiographs obtained at first presentation showed minimal osseous overgrowth and irregularity at the epiphyses around the left knee and ankle joints, respectively. Radiographs obtained at the second presentation showed osteocartilaginous masses at most epiphyses of the left lower extremity. Two months after diagnosis (at 3.7 years old), the patient had surgery on his left knee to relieve increased joint restriction. The histopathological diagnosis was consistent with an osteocartilaginous lesion. This case report presents imaging features and age-related progression of DEH in this patient.

Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica Treated with Osteochondral Allograft: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH), or Trevor's disease, is a developmental disorder of the pediatric skeleton characterized by asymmetric osteochondral overgrowth.

METHODS

We present the case of a five year old boy with a two year history of right knee pain and evidence of DEH on imaging who underwent initial arthroscopic resection of his lesion with subsequent recurrence. The patient then underwent osteochondral allograft revision surgery and was asymptomatic at two year follow-up with a congruent joint surface.

RESULTS

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a DEH lesion treated with osteochondral allograft and also the youngest reported case of osteochondral allograft placement in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteochondral allograft may be a viable option in DEH and other deformities of the pediatric knee.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V.

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica of talus mimicking posterior ankle impingement syndrome in a young male: a case report with review of the literature

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare skeletal developmental disorder representing an osteocartilaginous tumor arising from 1 or more epiphyses during childhood. We report a case of a young male who presented with complaints of pain and swelling in the posteromedial aspect of the left ankle with the clinical diagnosis of posterior impingement syndrome. Imaging studies, including radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, suggested the possibility of localized juxta-articular dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica arising from the talus. The patient was successfully treated by surgical excision. The postoperative histologic findings were consistent with osteochondroma. This case report emphasizes the possibility of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica in the differential diagnosis of impingement syndromes around the ankle. The aim of the present study was to familiarize clinicians with this rare entity, because the number of documented cases has been increasing.

Imaging of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (Trevor's disease)

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH; synonyms; Trevor's or Trevor Fairbank disease) is a rare developmental disorder of the skeleton characterized by asymmetric osteochondral overgrowth of the cartilage of a medial or lateral epiphysis or epiphyseal equivalent. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of DEH and in assessing the need for biopsy to differentiate it from more sinister diseases. There is no recent comprehensive review of the imaging of DEH and the purpose of this article is to describe the modern radiological manifestations of DEH.

Treatment of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: a systematic review of published reports and a report of seven patients

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare entity. It is characterized by cartilage overgrowth in the epiphyses and is considered to be an epiphyseal osteochondroma. It usually presents during childhood and can cause pain and functional limitations. The aim of the present study was to describe the entity through our cases and published data and to present the results of our suggested treatment. A systematic search was performed to retrieve and describe all studies on dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica. Studies were included if sufficient information on the patient characteristics, lesion location, treatment, and outcomes were described. In addition, we report on 7 of our patients. In our review, 48 studies were found, of which 42 could be included. Owing to the large heterogeneity in the studies, no pooling of data was performed. The studies included 138 patients with 255 lesions. Approximately 27% were female patients. The age at presentation ranged from 3 months to 66 years; however, in most, the entity was discovered before 8 years of age. No apparent guidelines were presented concerning the treatment strategy; however, most investigators performed resection because of pain or limitations in the range of motion. Most lesions were located in the ankle or foot (139 of 255). In our own cases, 5 of 7 patients experienced pain, limited range of motion, or activity restriction. The mean follow-up period was 4 years. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare entity, occurring predominantly in the lower extremity of in young male patients. Its aggressive growth warrants aggressive treatment in the case of pain or functional or range of motion limitations.