Osteoid osteoma of the hand and wrist.

The average age of 19 patients with osteoid osteoma of the hand or wrist was 23 years (range, 8 to 70 years). Nine lesions were in the proximal phalanx, four in the distal phalanx, one in a middle phalanx, and one in a metacarpal. Two lesions were in the capitate, one of the hamate, and one in the triquetrum. The average time from onset of symptoms to successful treatment was 16 months. Fifteen of the 19 patients had had treatment elsewhere; 14 had had unsuccessful operative procedures, usually related to incorrect diagnoses. Sixteen patients had a minimum follow-up of 5 months (range, 5 months to 31 years; mean, 11 years) after operation. Surgical failure occurred in four patients with phalangeal lesions (two proximal and two distal). Three of the four patients subsequently were cured by reoperation, and the other patient obtained further treatment elsewhere.