ENCHONDROMA OF THE HAND

Enchondromata are the most frequent benign tumours of the bones of the hand. From 1973 to 1990 77 patients were treated at the trauma- and h and surgery department of the Westfalische Wilhelms-University in Muns ter because of a histologically confirmed enchondroma. Those 52 patien ts (32 female, 20 male, average age 32 years), who were operated on un til 1986 were reviewed. After an average history of 16 months the diag nosis was made most often because of a painful swelling. In 15% a spon taneous fracture was seen and in 17% the enchondroma was diagnosed by chance. The enchondroma was merely exstirpated or in other cases the d efect was filled with a bone graft. The follow-up with a maximal time of 14 years postoperatively yielded in 81,6% an excellent and good res ult. A 5,7% (3 pat.) recurrence rate was observed and was attributed t o an incomplete resection of the underlying pathology. Follow up X-ray s are therefore recommended.