Solitary osteochondroma of the foot: an in-depth study with case reports

Osteochondroma represents the most common benign bone tumor and occurs most frequently in the proximal humerus, tibia, and distal femur. The bones of the foot, by comparison, are less commonly involved. The tumor appears to be a developmental defect of bone preformed in cartilage rather than a true neoplasm. However, on rare occasions it may undergo chondrosarcomatous degeneration, thus demonstrating neoplastic behavior. A review of the literature, including clinical features of osteochondroma, radiologic and histologic characteristics, and theories on pathogenesis, is presented. Information concerning principles of surgical treatment, techniques of diagnosis, and facts to aid in the differential diagnosis of osteochondroma is presented also. Finally, a series of case reports is presented to demonstrate the surgical treatment of osteochondroma of the foot. Included are three cases of phalangeal osteochondroma, one of metatarsal osteochondroma, and an unusual report of osteochondroma of the talus. A case report and discussion of a patient with juxtacortical circumscripta myositis ossificans of the foot is also presented to demonstrate how information on lesions included in the differential of osteochondroma can be utilized clinically to make the diagnosis.