CHONDROSARCOMA OF THE SHORT TUBULAR BONES OF THE HANDS AND FEET

Objective. To report 12 cases of chondrosarcoma in a rare location, th e short tubular bones of the hands and feet, as well as 12 cases of en chondroma in similar locations, emphasizing the radiologic and histopa thologic features. Design and patients. All relevant cases that had bo th histologic slides and radiographs available were taken from the fil es of one orthopedic referral hospital and the personal files of one o f the authors. A similar number of enchondroma cases was selected at r andom from the files. Results and conclusions. One malignancy arose in a background of enchondromatosis, with all the others being solitary lesions. A pathologic diagnosis of malignancy is often difficult in th e absence of radiologic signs of malignancy (cortical destruction with or without soft tissue extension). However, three cases were unusual in that the initial radiograph demonstrated a benign appearance. Anoth er group of three malignancies was surprisingly indolent biologically. The treatment of choice is ray resection (or more limited amputation in a lesion of the middle or distal phalanx).