Exostosis in the Hand: Case Series and Literature Review

Introduction This study reviews the exostosis in hand in our locality and compares those in the literature. Methods A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the cases collected from 2000 to 2010. Literatures were also reviewed to look into the current concept of exostosis in the hand. Results There were nine patients with a total of 11 lesions of exostosis in the hand. Two cases were parosteal osteochondroma (Nora lesion). The male to female ratio was 4:5. The average presented age at the first consultation was 49.7 years of age. The most common site was distal phalanx. Six lesions had incorrect preoperative diagnoses by clinical assessment and standard two-view radiographs of the hand. Three of the six lesions were corrected after intraoperative Xi-scan screening. Conclusion The clinical picture of exostosis in the hand in our locality seems to be different from that of Western countries. Lesions of the hand were difficult to be visualized in the radiographs due to overlapping of bones. Xi-scan may help in making the diagnosis.