Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation causing angular deformities: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction:

There have been fewer than 150 cases of Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora Lesions) reported in the literature to date and no significant reports on angular deformities caused by this lesion. Nora’s lesion can easily be misdiagnosed as osteochondroma or chondrosarcoma and therefore inappropriately managed. Although this condition classically appears in the second or third decade, we present to you a three year old boy who presented with multiple bony swellings over the hand and feet that caused an angular deformity of the involved digits. In the case report we have detailed the angular deformities and its treatment outcome.

Case Report:

A three year old boy presented with valgus deformity of middle finger of right upper limb with an associated ulnar bony swelling at the level of middle phalanx which was noticed two years before and was progressing rapidly since last three months. On physical examination the swellings were found to be bony hard, midly tender and found to have been causing an angulare deformity of the digits. The initial suspicion was of osteochondromatous lesion however the excision biopsy showed the lesion to be of the rare entity of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation. 1 year follow up showed no progression of angular deformity of the operated digits.

Conclusion:

Bizarre osteochondromatous proliferation is an entity that can rarely present in children which needs to be identified and tackled early to prevent the onset of deformities. Almost all cases warrant surgical intervention and the type of excision varies with the type of lesion.

Introduction

Bizzare parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is also called Nora’s lesion [1], who was the pathologist who described it in 1983. It is a benign lesion typically affecting hands and feet [1-4]. It has no sex predilection [5]. Typical age group affected is from 2nd to 6th decade. It is very rarely seen below the age of 5years.

The most common differential diagnosis for BPOP is osteochondroma. BPOP is a distinct entity from osteochondroma both clinically and histopathologically[5,6,7]. As compared to osteochondroma, BPOP has higher recurrence rates after excision suggesting it is aggressive in nature [1,4,7]. As far as we know, there is no published evidence of BPOP causing angular deformity. BPOP can cause significant angular deformities especially when it occurs in very young age, as shown in this case report.

Case Report

We present a three year old boy with valgus deformity of middle finger of right upper limb with an associated ulnar bony swelling at the level of middle phalanx which was noticed two years before and was progressing rapidly since last three months. On physical examination a pedunculated bony swelling was noticed to be arising from dorsoulnar aspect of the base of the middle phalanx measuring 2x1x3 cm (Fig 1). Another sessile bony swelling of size 2x1x1 cm is noticed on the medial aspect of second toe of right foot with an associated valgus deformity (Fig 2). Mild tenderness was present in both the lesions.

Figure 1.

Three Year old boy presented with pedunculated mass arising from the proximal metaphysio-diaphyseal junction of the middle phalanx of middle finger of right hand (Clinical and Radiographic appearance

Figure 2.

Sessile bony swelling of size 2x1x1 cm is noticed on the medial aspect of second toe of right foot with an associated valgus deformity.

Radiographs of the right hand showed a pedunculated mass arising from the proximal metaphysio-diaphyseal junction of middle phalanx (Fig 1). Presence of cartlagenous cap was unlikely as the soft tissue shadow over the bony lesion was minimal. Irregular areas of dense calcification was noticed within the matrix. Continuity of the medullary cavity of the phalanx with the medulla of the bony lesion was noticed. Radiographs of the right foot showed a sessile bony lesion arising from the medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx, with its medulla in continuity with the medullary cavity of the phalanx (Fig 2). There were also multiple, small but similar bony lesions in the hand and feet. Rest of the skeleletal survey was normal. Indications for surgery were progressive angular deformity, increasing size and pain. As the lesion in the hand was pedunculated, marginal excision biopsy could be performed. The lesion in the foot was sessile and hence wide excision was done (excision of the proximal half of the affected phalanx.)

Resected specimen consisted of thin cartilage cap and bone tissue. Histologically the lesion had three components: fibroblastic spindle cells, cartilage with mild cellular atypia and irregular bony trabeculae, all present in intermixed islands without any specific pattern (Fig 3). This classic finding was conclusive of Bizzare parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation [2,5].

Figure 3.

Histopathological picture of BPOP. Note the random mixture of 3 tissue types : fibrous tissue(), bone () and cartilage (#). Note the cellular atypia of the cartilage cells.

Latest follow up at one year since index surgery showed no recurrence. There was partial correction of the deformities of the operated phalanges. Also, some of the lesions which were initially found on skeletal survey to be small, have grown in size causing similar deformity of the affected phalanges, which might need future surgical intervention.

Discussion

Osteochondroma is the most important differential diagnosis for BPOP (Table 1). Other differential diagnoses include periosteal chondroma, multiple exostoses, Florid reactive periostitis ossificans [1,2,8,9,10].

Table 1.

Epidemiology, radiographic findings, histological findings, prognosis of Bizzare parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) and osteochondroma [2,5,7,9,11,13]

	BPOP	Osteochondroma
Epidemiology
(a) Age distribution	2nd to 6th decade	1st to 4th decade
(b) Sex distribution	Male = Female	Male > Female
(c) Location of the lesions	phalanges, metacarpals, metatarsals	Long bones
Radiographic findings
(a) Cartilage Cap	Present	Present
(b) Matrix Calcification	Irregular	Regular
(c) Continuity with intramedullar canal	Variable	Yes
Histopathology findings
(a) Fibroblastic tissue	Present	Absent.
(b) Chondrocyte Atypica	Present	Absent
(c) Bony Trabaculae	Irregular	Regular (arranged at 90° to cartilage cap)

The type of excision to be done is an important issue for the obvious reason that the recurrence is high [1,4,7,11]. Unfortunately, it is very vaguely described in literature. Terms like excision, simple excision are used instead of standard terms like intralesional excision (curettage), marginal excision or wide excision [4]. Intralesional excision is associated with higher recurrence rate and hence not recommended [12,13,14]. In our opinion either marginal or wide excision is essential. There are two important factors to be considered in decision-making, one, location of the lesion location whether in toes or fingers; two, presence or absence of peduncle. In pedunculated lesions, marginal excision can be performed without affecting the function of the finger or toe. In case of sessile lesions the level of excision is not easy to decide. Because of the functional deficit that occurs in proportion to the extent of excision performed, our advice is to do marginal excision in the fingers and partial phalanx excision (equivalent to wide excision) in the toes. However, it should be kept in mind that should the tumor recur after marginal excision, wide excision with or without arthrodesis is required during the revision surgery.

Informed followup is essential for atleast three reasons. One, new lesions appear frequently in the same or other digits. Second, higher recurrence rates after surgery compared to osteochondroma. Third, corrective osteotomy may be needed at a later date after the excison, if the angular deformity does not get corrected by itself.

Conclusion

Bizarre osteochondromatous proliferation is an entity that can rarely present in children which needs to be identified and tackled early to prevent the onset of deformities. Almost all cases warrant surgical intervention and the type of excision varies with the type of lesion.

Clinical Message

The incidence of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatosis is rare in paediatric age group and this occurrence leads to the development of angular deformities in the developing bone. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent further progession of the deformity.

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