CONTEXT: The bones of the hands and feet constitute more than half of the bones in the human skeleton (106/ 206), but lesions occurring in them are infrequently reported. Although many of the lesions that occur in the rest of the skeletal bones can occur in bones of the hands or feet, their distribution and frequency differ. OBJECTIVE: To study lesions involving bones of the hands or feet. DESIGN: Retrospective study of all lesions involving bones of the hands or feet during the period from January 2000 to September 2006 from a university hospital in southern India. Clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features were reviewed. RESULTS: The 50 lesions encountered included 23 (46.0%) infections/inflammatory lesions, 16 (32.0%) benign tumors, 6 (12.0%) malignant tumors, and 5 (10.0%) tumorlike lesions. Giant cell tumor was the most common benign tumor. Malignant tumors involved the nonphalangeal bones, with chondrosarcoma the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Lesions of the bones of the hands or feet are uncommon. Awareness and correlation of clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features help in making correct diagnoses.
CONTEXT: The bones of the hands and feet constitute more than half of the bones in the human skeleton (106/ 206), but lesions occurring in them are infrequently reported. Although many of the lesions that occur in the rest of the skeletal bones can occur in bones of the hands or feet, their distribution and frequency differ. OBJECTIVE: To study lesions involving bones of the hands or feet. DESIGN: Retrospective study of all lesions involving bones of the hands or feet during the period from January 2000 to September 2006 from a university hospital in southern India. Clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features were reviewed. RESULTS: The 50 lesions encountered included 23 (46.0%) infections/inflammatory lesions, 16 (32.0%) benign tumors, 6 (12.0%) malignant tumors, and 5 (10.0%) tumorlike lesions. Giant cell tumor was the most common benign tumor. Malignant tumors involved the nonphalangeal bones, with chondrosarcoma the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Lesions of the bones of the hands or feet are uncommon. Awareness and correlation of clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features help in making correct diagnoses.