enchondroma

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

intramedullary, metaphyseal cartilaginous tumour

Question 2

who is it most common in?

Answer 2

20-50 y/o

Question 3

what is it caused by?

Answer 3

failure of normal enchondral ossification at growth plate

Question 4

how does it clinically present?

Answer 4

incidental, asymptomatic
can weaken bone leading to pathological fracture

Question 5

where can they occur?

Answer 5

femur, humerus, tibia and small bones of hand and feet

Question 6

what investigations are used?

Answer 6

x-ray

Question 7

what will the x-ray show?

Answer 7

lesion usually lucent but may undergo mineralisation to give sclerotic appearance

Question 8

how is it managed?

Answer 8

once fracture healed or risk of impending fracture they may be scraped out and filled with bone graft to strengthen bone