MELORHEOSTOSIS OF THE HAND - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

Melorheostosis is a rare monostotic or polyostotic bone disease of unk nown etiology. It is characterized by a slowly progressing linear hype rostosis, fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, contractures of joints and aching pain. The lower extremities are involved much mor e often than the upper extremities. The distribution of the lesion usu ally follows sclerotomes. Bone scanning complements standard radiologi c studies and permits evaluation of the extent and activity of the dis ease. Here we report two cases of melorheostosis. Conservative treatme nt was disappointing. Thus we recommend the excision of the exostosis.