Mass of the Distal Phalanx of the Finger with Bony Lesion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Previous study revealed that 90% of benign bone tumor of hand is enchondroma. In soft tissue tumor, 36% of glomus tumor and less than 5% of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath are revealed as bone involving lesions. However, primary bone tumor and soft tissue tumor are not reported frequently at the distal phalanx. We aimed to assess the specific characters of the distal phalangeal mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases of distal phalangeal masses with bony lesions were included, and clinical and radiologic review were done. RESULTS: Fourteen cases out of eighteen distal phalangeal mass cases were bony lesions of the distal phalanx. Chief complaints of patients were pain (ten cases), palpable mass (four cases), and both (one case). Six cases were benign bone tumor, eight were soft tissue tumor involving the bone. In eight soft tissue mass, four glomus tumors, two epidermoid cysts, two giant cell tumors of tendon sheath were diagnosed. Nail involvement was found in four cases, and three of them were diagnosed as glomus tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of bone involvement and nail deformity of the distal phalangeal mass must be considered.