Enchondroma
Enchondromas are benign tumors that may weaken the bone. They most commonly affect the hands and feet, with the humerus and femur being common larger bones.
Enchondromas are benign tumors that may weaken the bone. They most commonly affect the hands and feet, with the humerus and femur being common larger bones.
Bones grow from a cartilaginous growth plate that gradually lengthens and turns into bone as it lengthens. An enchondroma is a benign bone tumor or neoplasm that can be thought of as an island of cartilage within the bone that never turned into normal bone. This type of tumor is usually found incidentally due to injury, as this tumor may weaken the bones and predispose them to fracture.
Enchondromas are benign tumors that may weaken the bone primarily in the hands and feet, leading to the bone breaking (called a pathological fracture).
Radiographic imaging is used to help form a diagnosis. These include X-Ray, MRI, CT and Bone Scans.
An example of an enchondroma X-Ray is shown.
If there is a chance of pathological fracture or a pathological fracture already occurred, the surgery used to treat this condition is known as intralesional curettage and bone grafting.
Intralesional Curettage means to scoop the tumor out using a spoon-like tool called a curette. This is a surgery that aims to remove the mass and restore the bone so that the patient can get back to normal function. The enchondroma is identified within the bone and scooped, or curetted, out. The cavity is then shaved down with a Midas Rex Drill, which is similar to a dental drill. This drill removes more tumor cells.
The empty bone cavity is usually filled with bone graft or bone cement. Bone can be donated (allograft) or taken from the patient themselves (autograft). Fixation devices, such as a plate and screws, may be used in specific situations to prevent postoperative fracture. This example of an X-ray shows the bone graft filled in nicely. It looks particulate. In this case, the patient was placed in a cast to protect from fracture and allow the graft to heal.
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Patients afflicted with musculoskeletal tumors have complex conditions that are best taken care of at large hospitals. I am the Chairman of Orthopedics and Chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Morristown Medical Center. My philosophy is a multidisciplinary team approach, working together to tailor treatment to individual patients. Education and research are essential to my practice, providing the best setting for extraordinary patient care. Because of this, we have some of the top results in the country.
