Solitary enchondroma in a metatarsal bone, an incidental discovery

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports Vol. 78; pp. 254 - 258
• Main Authors: Jasqui Remba, Salomon, Álvarez San Martín, Raul, Baley Amiga, Isaac, Portman Santos, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bone tumours; Case Report; Enchondroma; Foot and ankle tumours; Incidental tumours benign; Enchondroma; Foot and ankle tumours; Incidental tumours benign; Bone tumours
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.12.056

•Benign tumours in the lower extremities found incidentally.•Many types of bone tumour exist, and accurate classification is important for adequate treatment.•Early detection and proper treatment are fundamental for a better prognosis.•Definitive histopathological diagnosis is key for better decision making and thus for a better outcome. Enchondromas are rare benign bone tumours and their discovery is usually incidental, since in most cases it presents with no symptoms. A 30 year old male who comes to the office after suffering a forced inversion of the left foot, he has edema of the left lateral malleolus, pain and is unable to walk; no deformities or other alterations are observed and palpable pulses of adequate intensity and frequency are recorded. The radiography shows soft tissue edema and no bone lesions. A tumour is found in the first metatarsal, which was afterwards corroborated by an MRI; once the diagnosis was confirmed, curettage of the lesion was performed with good outcome. Multiple enchondromas and solitary enchondromas, left untreated, can transform into malignant bone tumours like chondrosarcomas, so early detection and treatment, in most cases with lesion curettage and bone grafting, become fundamental for a good prognosis.