Presentation
Expanding distal phalanx of right third digit
Patient Data
Age: 30 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Enchondroma of the distal phalanx
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Within the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit there is a well-defined, expanding lucent lesion. There is no associated breach of the cortex, no periosteal bone formation, and no involvement of the adjacent soft tissues. There is no involvement of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Case Discussion
The radiological findings of a well-defined, expanding lucent lesion involving a distal phalanx is consistent with an enchondroma
Main Learning Points:
- enchondromas are benign neoplasms, accounting for ~17.5% of all benign bone tumors
- in this case, the imaging findings on plain radiograph consistent with enchondroma include: location (phalangeal bones are a typical location), small expanded lucent lesion, no periosteal reaction, no cortical breach, and no soft tissue mass
- enchondromas tend to have a calcified matrix, except for in the digits as in this case
- occasionally it can be impossible to discriminate between an enchondroma and a low-grade chondrosarcoma (both on imaging and histology)
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