Chondromas of the hand. A report of thirty-five cases

Twenty-nine patients were treated in the department of orthopedic surgery of Purpan (Toulouse), with thirty-five chondromata of the hand. Follow-up was over one year. Chondroma is a bone tumor predominantly of the left side, second ray of the hand and phalanx. Some multifocal cases have been observed. The diagnosis was made in half the cases through a pathological fracture. Chondroma is characterized by a diaphyseal or a metaphyso-diaphyseal lacuna, wearing away the cortical bone. Treatment consisted of curetting the tumor and filling the cavity with iliac cancellous bone graft. The clinical result was been excellent in 15 cases (60%), good in 6 cases (25%), with only some residual pain, and/or digital swelling. In two cases the finger was stiff, but functionally not disabling. In one case the stiffness was important and very disabling; after several recurrences it evolved into a chondrosarcoma.