Chondroblastoma of the distal phalanx

Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign primary bone tumor that usually occurs at the epiphysis of long bones. The authors present an example of the diagnosis and successful treatment of this neoplasm in an exceedingly rare location in the distal phalanx. Clinical and radiographic outcomes after 68 months of follow-up are presented. A 15-year-old, right hand-dominant, boy developed painful swelling of the right ring finger. Radiographs revealed a radiolucent lesion of the distal phalanx with expansile remodeling of the bone. An excisional biopsy was performed with curettage and bone grafting of the lesion. The diagnosis of chondroblastoma was made based on pathologic evaluation of the biopsy specimen. Sixty-six months after surgical treatment, the patient was free of recurrence and metastatic disease with excellent clinical and functional outcomes. To the authors' knowledge, this represents only the second reported case of chondroblastoma of the distal phalanx. The diagnosis of chondroblastoma in this rare location was made by pathologic review of the resection specimen. It is imperative to confirm the diagnosis of any resected bone specimen even when the concern for an aggressive or malignant lesion is low. A tumor presenting in an unusual location may require a change in treatment or surveillance.