The peak incidence is in the third decade and is equal between men and women. The mature hyaline cartilage located centrally within short tubular bones usually presents clinically as a fracture due to an enlarging lesion. Multiple enchondromatosis is a non-heritable condition also known as Ollier's disease. Multiple enchondromas and hemangiomas of soft tissue are otherwise known as Maffucci's Syndrome. In both conditions, males are affected more than women and the disease process often only affects one side of the body.
Enchondromas are difficult to differentiate from low grade chondrosarcoma by radiology.
Enchondromas are usually long and oval and have well-defined margins. In larger lesions, the lucent defect has endosteal scalloping and the cortex is expanded and thinned. Calcifications throughout the lesion can range from punctate to rings. CT is useful for detecting matrix mineralization and cortex integrity. MRI is helpful for describing the non-mineralized portion of the lesion and visualizing any aggressive or destructive features.