Osteolipoma of the hand: A case report

Introduction: Osteolipoma is a rare variant of lipoma characterized by osseous metaplasia within adipose tissue. Its occurrence in the hand is exceptionally uncommon. This article aimed to report a case of osteolipoma in the hand.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old right-handed Asian woman presented to the orthopedic polyclinic complaining of a painless mass on the palm of her left hand for four years. Physical examination revealed a solid, mobile, non-tender mass with well-defined margins. Radiographic imaging showed a well-circumscribed soft tissue mass with fat and central calcification. The patient underwent surgical excision, and a histopathological examination confirmed the osteolipoma. A six-month follow-up revealed no recurrence, and the patient could resume her daily activities.

Discussion: This case highlights the importance of including osteolipoma in the differential diagnosis of hand masses, especially those with radiographic evidence of calcification. The rarity of this entity in the hand requires a high index of suspicion for accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Conclusion: While rare, osteolipoma of the hand should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses with osseous components. Complete surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, offering diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic intervention.