Rare phenotype of juxtaepiphyseal osteochondroma of the proximal phalanx and its management: A case report.

Abstract

Background: Osteochondroma of the hand and phalanges is rare. Although rare, solitary phalangeal osteochondromas can result in pain, cosmetic deformity, compression of nearby neurovascular structures and tendons, or functional limitation of adjacent joints that warrant surgical correction when symptomatic. At times, involvement of the growth plate by juxtaepiphyseal exostosis can cause angulation deformity, necessitating corrective osteotomy.

Case summary: We reported a case of a 3-year-old female with a right-sided painless deformity of the index finger along with swelling over the base of the index finger and its management.

Conclusion: This case report focused on the natural history of phalangeal exostosis and its association with angular deformities of the fingers. We demonstrated that the timely excision of the juxtaepiphyseal exostosis would allow the surgeon to achieve acute correction of the angular deformity with full functional recovery without recurrence at the 2-year follow-up. Significant delay of excision until skeletal maturity might necessitate corrective osteotomy of the finger deformity and tendon release for intrinsic tightness.