Benign Bone Tumors of the Hand: Beyond Enchondromas

Abstract

Beyond enchondromas, the most common bone tumors of the hand, there are numerous less common benign bone tumors and mimickers with which orthopaedic and hand surgeons should be familiar. These include other benign cartilage tumors, cystic lesions, osteogenic tumors, giant cell tumor, and fibrous dysplasia. Particularly unique lesions include bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora lesion), florid reactive periostitis, turret exostosis (acquired osteochondroma), giant cell reparative granuloma (solid aneurysmal bone cyst), and epidermoid cyst. The purpose of this review was to present the epidemiology of this group of lesions as a whole and then focus on the unique radiographic and histological features, natural history, and appropriate management of each of the lesions. Unlike those of enchondromas, malignant bone tumors, and soft-tissue tumors of the hand, we are unaware of a previous comprehensive orthopaedic review focused on these less common benign hand processes.