Subungual exostosis of the toes: a systematic review

Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Apr;472(4):1251-9. doi: 10.1007/s11999-013-3345-4. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Abstract

Background: Subungual exostosis is a relatively common benign bone tumor that occurs in the distal phalanges of the toes and can be a source of pain and nail deformity. There is controversy about the treatment of these lesions and there are few studies that have synthesized what is known and provided meaningful information on treatment.

Questions/purposes: We performed a systematic review to address the following questions: (1) What is the best surgical approach for excising these lesions? (2) What is the age range, sex distribution, and presenting symptoms of subungual exostoses and which toe is most frequently affected? (3) What complications arise from treatment?

Methods: Two authors independently searched multiple databases (Medline, 1950-May 2013; Cochrane EBM database, and EMBASE, 1980-May 2013 provided by OVID; ACP Journal Club, 2003-May 2013; CINAHL by EBSCO, 1937-May 2013; and PubMed by NLM, 1940-May 2013), and key words were chosen to achieve a broad search strategy. We included studies on the management of toe exostoses with > 10 cases and we excluded studies that reported on upper extremity exostoses or osteochondromas. Demographic and treatment data were collected from each article by two independent authors and collated. A total of 124 abstracts were screened, and 116 articles were reviewed in full, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria.

Results: Complete marginal excision through a fish mouth incision protecting the nail led to a recurrence rate of 4% and satisfactory clinical results, defined as no requirement for postoperative intervention and a satisfactory clinical appearance in 73%. Most studies provided incomplete descriptions of specific surgical techniques used. Fifty-five percent of the patients were younger than 18 years of age. A history of toe trauma before diagnosis was present in approximately 30% of the cases. Delayed diagnosis occurred in approximately 10% of the cases and onychodystrophy occurred in more than 10%.

Conclusions: There is weak evidence to guide management of subungual exostosis. Adequate wound management postexcision aiming to minimize disruption to the nail bed and matrix may prevent onychodystrophy, which is a common complication of treatment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Bone Neoplasms* / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Bone Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Exostoses* / complications
  • Exostoses* / diagnosis
  • Exostoses* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nail Diseases* / complications
  • Nail Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Nail Diseases* / surgery
  • Orthopedic Procedures / adverse effects
  • Osteochondroma* / complications
  • Osteochondroma* / diagnosis
  • Osteochondroma* / surgery
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Radiography
  • Recurrence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Toe Phalanges* / diagnostic imaging
  • Toe Phalanges* / pathology
  • Toe Phalanges* / surgery
  • Toes
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Subungual exostoses