INTRODUCTION

Cartilaginous neoplasms of bone and soft tissues are relatively common. Osteochondromas and chondromas are the first and second most common benign neoplasms of bone. Chondrosarcomas are the second most common primary sarcoma of bone following osteosarcoma. Cartilage forming neoplasms display a wide range of morphologies and clinical behaviors ranging from totally benign osteochondromas and chondromas to very aggressive grade III chondrosarcomas. While osteochondromas and chondromas are benign neoplasms, both have the potential for malignant degeneration. These two neoplasms also occur as inherited multifocal forms represented by Ollier’s disease, Maffucci syndrome, and osteochondromatosis.

Cartilaginous neoplasms are associated with some of the most difficult differential diagnoses in musculoskeletal pathology. The separation of enchondroma from grade I chrondrosarcoma can be exceedingly difficult requiring integration of clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic data.

CHONDROMA AND ITS VARIATIONS

Clinical features

Chondromas represent benign proliferations of cartilage which account for 10% of all benign bone tumors and may vary considerably in appearance depending on patient age, site of origin, and whether or not a syndrome is present. Chondromas are subdivided into enchondromas, periosteal, or parosteal chondromas, and extraskeletal chondromas. Enchondromas are, by far, the most common.