[Periosteal chondroma of the hand]

Juxtacortical chondroma is the less common of the two varieties of chondroma which may develop in the hand. Two cases are reported, and the authors review the clinical, radiological, pathological and therapeutic data concerning this tumour which was first individualized by Lichtenstein and Hall in 1952. Clinicians should be well informed on the characteristics of juxtacortical chondroma, since its differential diagnosis with a malignant lesion may be extremely difficult, even at histology, and since conservative surgery with complete excision of the chondroma usually results in permanent cure.