This monstrous growth was three feet three
inches long, descending to the knees. It had its origin in the
left parietal region, and was covered by the skin of the whole
left side of the face and forehead. The left ear was plainly
visible in the upper third of the growth.
Chondroma, or enchondroma, is a cartilaginous tumor occurring
principally where cartilage is normally found, but sometimes in
regions containing no cartilage. Enchondroma may be composed of
osteoid tissue, such as is found in the ossifying callous between
the bone and the periosteum, and, according to Virchow, then
takes the name of osteochondroma. Virchow has divided chondromata
into two forms--those which he calls ecchondromata, which grow
from cartilage, and those that grow independently from cartilage,
or the enchondromata, which latter are in the great majority.
Enchondroma is often found on the long bones, and very frequently
upon the bones of the hands or on the metatarsal bones.
Figure 244 represents an enchondroma of the thumb. Multiple
enchondromata are most peculiar, and may attain enormous sizes.
Whittaker describes a farmer of forty who exhibited peculiar
tumors of the fingers, which he calls multiple
osteoecchondromata.
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