Giant Periosteal Chondroma: Report of a Rare Case

Abstract

Periosteal chondromas are uncommon benign cartilaginous neoplasms which account for 5 cm in greatest diameter with an average size of 3 cm, with proximal humerus being a characteristic location. Large periosteal chondromas are very rare. Clinically, they present as palpable often painful masses. Radiographically, they appear as radiolucent bone surface tumours that form sharply marginated erosions (“saucerisation”) of the cortex and are well demarcated from the underlying medullary cavity by a thin rim of sclerosis. Histologically, these tumours are well circumscribed, and are characterised by lobules of cartilage with benign clusters of chondrocytes that do not have a permeative growth pattern. Occasionally, these tumours can be more cellular showing nuclear pleomorphism and binucleation, which can be misdiagnosed as chondrosarcoma. Periosteal chondromas are treated with en-bloc excisions. This case report describes a case of giant periosteal chondroma of proximal humerus.

Keywords

• bone neoplasm
• chondroma
• humerus