Subungual Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation: A Unique Case Report

Keywords: Nora’s lesion, bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation, subungual tumor, bone neoplasms, toe

Abstract

Introduction: Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), also known as Nora’s lesion, is a rare benign condition that predominantly affects the short bones of the hands and feet. Its subungual presentation is exceedingly rare. Differentiating it from malignant tumors is essential. We present the case of a 32-year-old man with a painful, progressively enlarging mass in the nail bed of the right second toe. Radiographs and computed tomography revealed a well-defined juxtacortical lesion without continuity with the medullary canal. Complete excision of the tumor, including the periosteum and superficial cortex, was performed, followed by nail-bed reconstruction. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Nora’s lesion. No recurrence was detected during follow-up, and full functional recovery was achieved. Conclusions: Recognition of this entity is essential to avoid diagnostic errors and unnecessarily aggressive surgery. Wide resection encompassing the affected cortical bone and periosteum is the treatment of choice to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Ana Santamaría López, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Enrique Galeote López, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Segundo Sánchez Gutiérrez, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain

References

Nora FE, Dahlin DC, Beabout JW. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferations of the hands and feet. Am J Surg Pathol 1983;7(3):245-50. https://doi.org/ 10.1097/00000478-198304000-00003

García Espinosa J, Martínez Martínez A, Muñoz PT, Ruiz Santiago F. Proliferación osteocondromatosa parostal bizarra (Enfermedad de Nora) como simulador de entidades malignas. SERAM 2019. Disponible en: https://www.piper.espacio-seram.com/index.php/seram/article/download/502/325

Zambrano E, Nosé V, Perez-Atayde AR, Gebhardt M, Hresko MT, Paul Kleinman P, et al. Distinct chromosomal rearrangements in subungual (Dupuytren) exostosis and bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora lesion). Am J Surg Pathol 2004;28(8):1033-9. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000478-200408000-00006

Gitto S, Serpi F, Messina C, Albano D, Di Bernardo A, Armiraglio E, et al. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation: an educational review. Insights Imaging 2023;14:109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-023-01455-0

Berber O, Dawson-Bowling S, Jalgaonkar A, Pollock RC, Skinner JA, Aston WJS, et al. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of bone: clinical management of a series of 22 cases. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2011;93(8):1118-21. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.93B8.26349

Dharmshaktu GS, Dharmshaktu IS, Agarwal N, Pangtey T. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation or Nora’s lesion affecting the extremities: a concise update. J Musculoskelet Surg Res 2022;6(3):200-6. https://doi.org/10.25259/JMSR_66_2022

Wang T, Ouyang Z, Chen Z, Yang Y, Huang X, Cheng Xiang, et al. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation in the distal ulna where the lesion is continuous with the medullary cavity: a case report. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024;25(1):588. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07715-4

Rybak LD, Abramovici L, Kenan S, Posner MA, Bonar F, Steiner GC. Cortico-medullary continuity in bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation mimicking osteochondroma on imaging. Skeletal Radiol 2007;36(9):829-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0305-4

Torreggiani WC, Munk PL, Al-Ismail K, Nicolaou S, Lee MJ, Masri BA. MR imaging features of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of bone (Nora’s lesion). Eur J Radiol 2001;40(3):224-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0720-048X(01)00356-0

Michelsen H, Abramovici L, Steiner G, Posner MA. Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (Nora’s lesion) in the hand. J Hand Surg Am 2004;29(3):520-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2004.01.009

Espinosa A, Barbosa G. Enfermedad de Nora. Proliferación osteocondromatosa parostal atípica. Rev Colomb

Cancerol 2011;15(3):155-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0123-9015(11)70064-6

Published
2026-08-29
How to Cite
Santamaría López, A., Galeote López, E., & Sánchez Gutiérrez, S. (2026). Subungual Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation: A Unique Case Report. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 91(4), 379-384. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2026.91.4.2251
Section
Case Presentations