Retrocalcaneal Bursitis due to Rare Calcaneal Osteochondroma in Adult Male : Excision and Outcome

A Solitary, Large Calcaneal Osteochondroma Growing Extensively After Skeletal Maturity: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Although osteochondromas are the most common benign tumors in the skeleton, calcaneal osteochondromas are very rare. New onset of pain or rapid growth of the tumor, especially after the closure of the epiphyseal growth plate, might reflect malignant transformation. However, enlargement of solitary osteochondromas reported as benign in a skeletally mature patient is present in the literature. We report the clinical and radiologic findings of a calcaneal osteochondroma with an extremely rare placement and painful rapid growth causing limited ambulation in a 27-year-old male. After surgical removal of the tumor, histologic examination demonstrated no evidence of malignancy, and there was no recurrence during the three-year follow-up.

Primary tumours of the calcaneus

The calcaneus is a rare location for the occurrence and development of primary tumour types. Clinicians are unfamiliar with calcaneal tumour types, which may result in a delay in diagnosis or a missed diagnosis, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and amputation. Heel pain and localized swelling of the ankle are the most common symptoms. X-ray is the first choice for a tentative diagnosis of a calcaneal tumour. The final diagnosis depends on a histological examination. The treatment of calcaneal tumour types varies depending on the Enneking system. The majority of patients with benign tumours heal, except for a few with a palindromia. For malignant tumours, the prognosis is comparatively poor, resulting in disability and a high rate of metastasis. This review describes the spectrum of calcaneal tumour types and specifically illustrates the epidemiology, symptomatology, imagology, histopathology and treatment options that may facilitate diagnosis and improve prognosis.