Surgical resection for multiple enchondromas in the hand: a case report

Introduction and importance Enchondroma is a rare, multifocal, non-hereditary disease with skeletal deformities usually present in childhood. We report a rare case whose management is clinically instructive. Presentation of case A 22-year-old man developed multiple lumps in both hands over 19 years ago, accompanied by pain and discomfort. Multiple masses were found in both hands and lower limbs. X-ray, CT, and MRI combined to diagnose the patient’s lesions as multiple enchondroma. The patient underwent resection of the left fifth phalangeal bone, metacarpal bone, and mass under general anesthesia, and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was enchondroma. At follow-up, the patient’s left-hand pain was significantly relieved, and functional recovery was satisfactory. Clinical discussion Surgical treatment for enchondroma mainly includes tumor curettage and bone grafting, or tumor resection, and necessary tissue reconstruction. In most reported cases, curettage is preferred over extended surgical resection. Surgical resection and necessary tissue reconstruction can restore part of the function of the hand, relieve pain symptoms, and obtain pathological diagnosis to decide further treatment. Conclusions The main value of surgical intervention in the treatment of enchondroma is restoration of function and histopathological diagnosis. In most cases, curettage is the preferred option, but complete surgical resection of the lesion remains a potential treatment.