Paraarticular osteochondroma of the knee: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

Paraarticular osteochondromas are unusual osteocartilaginous tumors that arise in the soft tissue adjacent to a joint. Their pathogenesis and classification are controversial, and worrisome histologic features make the distinction from chondrosarcoma difficult on morphologic grounds alone. Two cases of paraarticular osteochondroma of the knee arising in patients 66 and 75 years of age are reported in this study. Although the exact biologic nature of these tumors is not well characterized, limited data suggest that they will behave in benign fashion, similar to soft tissue chondromas. Paraarticular osteochondromas should be recognized to avoid unnecessarily aggressive surgical management.