J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2007 Oct;42(5):692-695. 10.4055/jkoa.2007.42.5.692.

Chondroblastoma in a Distal Phalanx of the Great Toe: A Case Report

• Lee SH
• Lee DH
• Lee YS
• Choi JS

• KMID: 2186480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2007.42.5.692

Abstract

A chondroblastoma is a relatively rare benign bone tumor that is typically encountered in the epiphysis. The authors describe a case of a chondroblastoma arising in the great toe. An 82-year-old woman presented with pain over her left great toe with a 1 year duration. The radiographs showed an expansile osteolytic lesion with cortical thinning and coarse trabeculation that replaced the distal phalanx of the left great toe. An incisional biopsy and curettage were performed. Histologically, the tumor consisted of uniform, round to polygonal cells with clear to slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to ovoid nuclei, mimicking chondroblasts, intermingled with osteoclast-like giant cells.

Keyword

Chondroblastoma; Distal phalanx; Great toe

MeSH Terms

Aged, 80 and over
Biopsy
Chondroblastoma*
Chondrocytes
Curettage
Cytoplasm
Eosinophils
Epiphyses
Female
Giant Cells
Humans
Toes*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Radiographs and 3-dimensional computed tomography images. (A) Radiographs show an ostelytic lesion and course trabeculation in the distal pharynx of the left great toe. (B) 3 dimensional computed tomography shows an expansile osteolytic lesion with cortical thinning out and coarse trabeculation replacing the distal phalanx of the left great toe.

• 

  Fig. 2 Curettage specimen shows a uniform to polygonal mononuclear cells with well-defined cytoplasmic borders and slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm intermingled with scattered osteoclast-like giant cells (hematoxylin and eosin, ×200).

• 

  Fig. 3 High-power photomicrograph of the biopsy specimen shows fine calcification around the chondroblasts also known as "chicken-wire calcification" (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400).

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  Fig. 4 Some tumor cells tested positive for the S-100 protein.

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