Pathological mallet finger due to distal phalanx enchondroma: a case report

INTRODUCTION Enchondroma is a benign tumor that develops in the proximal part of the fingers and is one of the most frequent primary and destructive tumors of the hand. The metacarpals and middle phalanx are the other most affected parts. Because there are no distinct clinical symptoms, it is sometimes not identified until a pathological fracture occurs. Enchondroma begins as a nidus of cartilaginous cells in the physis, arises in the medullary cavity and grows outward into the cortex, eventually growing into an endogenous mass in the bone. One therapeutic obstacle is a pathological fracture and its consequences in the distal phalanx because the extensor mechanism in the distal half has failed concurrently. This study discusses a case of mallet finger that was caused by a pathological fracture due to enchondroma. This case report was approved by the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for its publication.