Osteoid osteoma of the phalanx and metacarpal bone: report of 17 cases

Background Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a slowly progressing benign osteoblastic tumour. In the hand, this tumour is rare. We propose a review of seventeen cases of OO of the phalanx and metacarpal bone. Patients and methods During the period, between 1998 and 2011, a total of seventeen OO in the hand were confirmed by the pathological examination. They were 10 women and 7 men with an average age of 29 years (age range 17–76). The most common site of the tumour was the proximal phalanx in ten cases, followed by middle phalanx in four cases and metacarpal bone in three cases. The diagnosis of OO was highly required by clinical history. Standard radiographs showed variable images, but computed tomography, and it was useful to facilitate diagnosis and pre-operative planning. All patients underwent surgery (the tumour resection and autogenous bone grafting). In post-operative, there was an immediate pain relief with complete resolution of all symptoms. No recurrence was observed during the last follow-up period of 4 years and 2 months. Conclusion The diagnosis of OO of the hand can be difficult, and it should be considered with bony pain or bony swelling, especially when the history is a chronic one. The CT scan allows visualisation and precise localisation of such benign tumour of the hand. The care should be taken to make the excision complete in order to avoid recurrence.