Osteochondroma Presenting Clinically with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a 12-Year-old Boy

An exostosis is a benign growth of bone, which when capped with cartilage is called osteochondroma, which can appear as solitary or multiple, mostly affecting the long bones, pelvis, and shoulder region. The prevalence of known solitary exostosis is 1-2% in the general population. They are slow growing lesions with rare malignant transformation. In patients with a solitary exostosis, the chance of developing a chondrosarcoma out of an exostosis is around 1%.

A 12-year-old boy presented to our outpatient department with complaints of pain, and swelling at the right wrist since 1 year and tingling numbness on and around palmar aspect of index and middle finger since 6 months. The swelling was of size 3 cm × 2 cm, Tinel's sign was positive. His blood parameters were normal. X-ray showed exostoses. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of osteochondroma. Nerve conduction study was normal. Excision biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and also relieved all symptoms.

Our case report is unique in its own way as it reminds us that when presented with a case of osteochondroma of the distal radius in children, carpal tunnel syndrome can also occur.