Osteoblastoma of the hamate bone - a case report

We report the case of a 26-year old woman who presented to our institution with a 2-month history of painful swelling to the ulnar side of the right wrist. She denied any trauma of the wrist and reported gradual progression of symptoms. X-ray showed irregular contour of the hamate and MRI showed a well-defined, sclerotic lesion occupying three-quarters of the bone volume. Histological examination of the material taken from an open biopsy revealed diagnosis of osteoblastoma. The patient was given surgery and the hamate bone was resected from two incisions, without additional reconstruction. When assessed after twelve months the patient presented satisfactory hand and wrist function.