The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Image Quiz
A Neoplasm of the Hand (continued)
Answer: Enchondroma of the distal phalanx of the hand
Discussion
Enchondroma of a long bone of the hand is a common tumor, although the distal phalanx is an uncommon location. The prognosis after curettage and insertion of autogenous bone graft or allograft is excellent, and satisfactory results have been reported with curettage alone.
An enchondroma of the distal phalanx is usually treated operatively through a mid-lateral or dorsal incision. Ogunro² reported the use of a palmar longitudinal incision in a patient who had a pathological fracture and avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon.
This approach avoids loss of sensibility in the fingertip, which may occur with a mid-lateral incision, and prevents the damage resulting from an incision that splits the nail.
References
1. Shimizu K, Kotoura Y, Nishijima N, Nakamura T. Enchondroma of the distal phalanx of the hand. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1997;79:898-900. 2. Ogunro O. Avulsion of flexor profundus, secondary to enchondroma of the distal phalanx. J Hand Surg. 1983;8:315-6.