title: Multiple osteochondroma of the hand: initial and long-term follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose is to determine the location and type of osteochondromas in patients with multiple osteochondroma of the hand as well as the presence of shortening and angulation. Second, it aims to establish longitudinal data on the change in tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of patients with multiple osteochondroma affecting the hand evaluating the location and type of tumors as well as the presence of shortening and angulation is done. We examined radiographs from final follow-up and analyzed them based on patient age at presentation (group I = ages 2-6; II = ages 7-10; III = ages 11-19), to determine changes over time and any differences in the number of tumors, location, and shortening and angulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most affected bones were the index and small finger metacarpals with an increase seen around the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The most shortening and angulation were seen on the ulnar side. Group II had the most tumors and the most bones with angulation. Twenty-three hands had longitudinal follow-up with an overall increase of 2.7 tumors per hand with a range of loss of 8 to gain of 16. There was an increase in the number of bones with angulation and shortening. Group I showed the largest increase in tumors, shortening, and angulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ulnar side and bones around the MCP joints are affected most commonly. The largest change was seen as the patients went from young childhood into adolescence, which may be due to rapid growth during this time. This is the largest study of these patients with the longest longitudinal data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, 1025 Blythe Blvd., Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28203 USA.
authors.forename: Julie Colantoni
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Woodside
authors.affiliation: Atlanta Medical Center, 303 Parkway Drive NE, Box 227, Atlanta, GA 30312 USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ganey
authors.affiliation: OrthoCarolina, 1915 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 USA.
authors.forename: R Glenn
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Gaston
keywords: Hand; Multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE); Osteochondroma