osteoid osteoma of phalangeal bone

Osteoid osteoma involving the phalanges of the fingers and toes are rare in the literature. We report two patients who were successfully treated with surgery. The first case was an 18-year-old male with osteoid osteoma of the left ring finger who presented with marked tenderness and swelling of the finger pulp of 2 years' duration. He underwent surgical excision with complete relief of the symptoms. No complications were observed over a follow-up period of 5 years. The second case was a 38-year-old male with painful enlargement and clubbing involving the distal phalanx of the right fourth toe which subsided gradually after surgical excision. No malignant change or recurrence was found and the patient remained free of symptoms 11 years after the operation. We conclude that complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice in small phalangeal bones where the tumors are readily accessible.