Giant extraskeletal chondroma of the hand: A rare case

Article information

Arch Plast Surg. 2018;45(4):388-389
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 July 15
doi : https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2017.01053
1Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
2MAZ–Microsurgical Training and Research Center, Linz, Austria
3Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Correspondence: Manfred Schmidt Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kepler University Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria Tel: +43-732-7806-73005, Fax: +43-732-7806-3190 E-mail: manfred.schmidt@akh.linz.at
Received 2017 June 15; Revised 2018 January 26; Accepted 2018 February 3.

Extraskeletal soft tissue chondroma (ESTC) is an extremely rare benign hyaline cartilaginous tumor that almost exclusively occurs in the soft tissue of the hands and feet. To correctly diagnose cases of chondroma, clinical, radiological, and cytological investigations are essential [1,2]. An X-ray should be performed as first imaging step, in order to plan surgery precisely. To eliminate bone involvement, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is obligatory, and to confirm the diagnosis of ESTC, histological staining should be performed [3].

With the patient’s approval, we report the case of a 54-year old man with symptoms of ulnar nerve compression due to a giant ESTC of the left hand (Fig. 1). A physical examination, plain radiographs, and MRI revealed a 4×7 cm soft tissue tumor with hyperintense T2 (Fig. 2) and moderately hypointense T1 MRI signaling located at the hypothenar area with no bone involvement. After verification by histology, excisional biopsy and ulnar nerve decompression were performed (Fig. 3). Pathological examination confirmed the suspected diagnosis of ESTC. The patient’s postoperative recovery was unremarkable and no sign of neurological deficit, pain, or recurrence was observed at follow-up (Fig. 4).

Fig. 1.

Preoperative image of the large tumor in the left palm.

Fig. 2.

Soft tissue tumor with a hyperintense T2 magnetic resonance imaging signal.

Fig. 3.

Tumor removal was achieved by longitudinal splitting of the expanded hypothenar muscle fibers.

Fig. 4.

Clinical results at a 9-month follow-up with inconspicuous scars and a restored hypothenar contour. The functional outcomes were excellent, with unimpaired ulnar nerve motor function and normal sensitivity.

ESTC is a particularly infrequent soft-tissue tumor of the hand. After the diagnosis of ESTC, the first-line therapy is excisional biopsy [4]. The reported local recurrence rates of chondromas are relatively high, so total resection including the capsule should be performed for prophylactic reasons [5]. Since extraskeletal chondromas are often located in close proximity to vulnerable anatomical structures in the hand, it is important to balance radical excision with the preservation of functional structures in this region. Profound hand surgical expertise is needed for the removal of large ESTCs to allow for full functional recovery after tumor resection.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Ethical approval

The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consents were obtained.

Patient consent

The patient provided written informed consent for the publication and the use of his images.

References

1. Bahnassy M, Abdul-Khalik H. Soft tissue chondroma: a case report and literature review. Oman Med J 2009;24:296–9.
2. Chung EB, Enzinger FM. Chondroma of soft parts. Cancer 1978;41:1414–24.
3. Zlatkin MB, Lander PH, Begin LR, et al. Soft-tissue chondromas. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1985;144:1263–7.
4. Suganuma S, Tada K, Tsuchiya H. Giant extraskeletal chondroma of the index finger: a case report. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2011;64:1377–9.
5. Ikeda K, Osamura N, Kasashima S. A large extraskeletal chondroma in the hand of an elderly patient: a case report. Hand Surg 2013;18:111–4.

Article information Continued

Fig. 1.

Preoperative image of the large tumor in the left palm.

Fig. 2.

Soft tissue tumor with a hyperintense T2 magnetic resonance imaging signal.

Fig. 3.

Tumor removal was achieved by longitudinal splitting of the expanded hypothenar muscle fibers.

Fig. 4.

Clinical results at a 9-month follow-up with inconspicuous scars and a restored hypothenar contour. The functional outcomes were excellent, with unimpaired ulnar nerve motor function and normal sensitivity.