A rare case of chondromyxoid fibroma mimicking spina ventosa

Abstract

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is perhaps the rarest of all bone tumors. Classically it occurs in the metaphyseal region of the long bones surrounding the knee. The small bones of the feet are also commonly involved. But CMF occurring in small bones of the hand, however, is very uncommon. Tuberculous dactylitis is referred to as spina ventosa. The bones of the hands are more frequently affected than bones of the feet. We present a rare case of CMF occurring in the middle phalanx of the left middle finger which was misdiagnosed as spina ventosa clinicoradiologically. It can be a common mistake especially in areas where prevalence of tuberculosis is still high. This case once again stresses the need for biopsy and to consider CMF as a rare differential diagnosis in all suspected cases of spina ventosa.