[Osteoid osteoma of the hands and feet]

Having studied 38 patients with osteoid osteoma of the bones of hands and feet the authors have revealed a number of peculiarities in clinical and roentgenological picture of the tumour of this localization. The process involves neighbouring and even rather remote tissues (muscular atrophy, vegetative disturbances), quite often there are destruction of the bones adjacent to the affected one, articular changes looking like inflammation and pronounced sclerotic reaction. Osteoid osteoma of the bones of hands anf feet is characterized by subperiosteal form when the "nest" of the tumour is situated outside the bone, thus causing atrophy due to pressure of the tissues lying below. Since the only effective method of treatment of osteoid osteoma consists in surgical removal of the "nest", it is of utmost importance to take into consideration atypical course of the tumour of this localization when maring the diagnosis. Angiographic investigation may be of considerable help in diagnostics.