Bone changes associated with soft-tissue tumors of the hand.

The purpose of this study was to clarify clinical and radiographic features of bone changes associated with soft-tissue tumors of the hand. We reviewed clinical records and radiographs of 115 patients who had undergone operations for soft-tissue tumors or tumorous conditions of the hand. Bone changes were detected in the radiographs of 21 of the 115 patients. Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath was the most common histological type to be associated with bone changes. The most vulnerable part of the hand was the palmar side of the phalanx from the distal shaft to the head. Most of the bone changes were erosion with clear margins. The erosions tended to extend deeper into the bone with limited widening. "Steep deep" erosions were found in 5 patients; these erosions did not require reconstruction after surgical curettage, and tumors did not recur.