OLLIER first described, in 1900, a rather rare condition characterized by multiple areas of unossified cartilage in the metaphyses of long bones. This disease which now bears his name is more aptly called multiple enchondromatosis and is actually a dyschondroplasia as it is due to a developmental error in endochondral ossification.
According to Fairbank1 the lesions of enchondromatosis have a tendency for unilateral distribution, with involvement of one bone or several bones of one extremity. Two lower limbs may be affected, and only rarely are all four extremities involved. Enchondromas of the bones of the hands are rather common. The commonest site is in the metaphyseal region of long bones; however, the pelvis is a favorite site. The skull, sternum, ribs, and vertebral column are only rarely involved.
Shortening of the involved limb is characteristic, and Fairbank reports a case of an 18-yr.-old youth with the involved limb 10