Myositis ossificans of the longus coli muscle following cervical spine fracture-dislocation

Fracture Dislocation at the Level of C6-C7: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fractures of the cervical spine can cause devastating long-term effects on patients. Spinal cord injuries can occur in up to 50% of cases in association with cervical spine fractures. Therefore, it is vital and of utmost importance to recognize cervical spine injuries early on to avoid the exacerbation of an existing injury and its detrimental effects on the patients. We report a case of a C6-C7 fracture dislocation with an associated neurological insult that improved dramatically following fixation and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, patients with this presentation may have long-term neurological insults rather than regain normal function; however, our case notes the importance of prompt intervention and its effect on the outcome.

A nontraumatic myositis ossificans case of the forearm: Case report and literature review

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a rare, benign ossifying lesion characterized by focal formation of heterotopic bone and cartilage in extraskeletal soft-tissue that most commonly occurs in young adults. In most cases, no causative factor can be identified. The diagnosis of MO is usually based on the patient's history of trauma, clinical signs, on imaging appearance and histological examination. We present a non-traumatic MO case of the forearm in a 40-year-old man with weakness in left finger motion, a decrease in prehension for more than three weeks, without any weight loss, malaise, anorexia or fever. The clinical symptoms and radiological findings can be easily confused with malignant lesions. Treatment is usually conservative but, due to the limited strength and range of motion of the left hand, the tumor was extirpated and the diagnosis of MO was made by biopsy. The patient had no neurological deficits after surgical treatment and was discharged on the fifth day after the surgery in good condition with the recommendation to begin a rehabilitation program.

Fatal atlantoaxial dislocation due to an odontoid synchondrosis fracture in a child with chromosome 9 abnormality: A case report

A 5-year-old boy with a chromosome-9 abnormality and multiple external and visceral malformations was found in cardiopulmonary arrest during a regular visit to the hospital; he did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and died. An odontoid process fracture and calcification and fibrosis of the muscles around the superior cervical vertebra were observed during the autopsy. Postmortem computed tomography revealed an anterior dislocation of the atlas; odontoid synchondrosis fracture; and delayed, incomplete bony fusion of the odontoid process relative to his age. The cause of his death was a superior spinal cord injury. The tissue surrounding the upper cervical spine presented with myositis ossificans, suggesting a prior injury. He experienced a minor traffic accident 3 months before his death. It was concluded that the odontoid synchondrosis fracture occurred during the accident based on the incomplete bony fusion and atlantoaxial instability, which were consistent with the findings of myositis ossificans. Delayed fatal dislocation may then have occurred under the influence of a minor external force. Odontoid process abnormalities and atlantoaxial instability are common in patients with trisomy 21 and other congenital diseases; however, the condition's association with chromosome-9 abnormalities has not been reported. In children with various chromosomal abnormalities, periodic assessment of instability and morphology of the cervical spine, and a lowered examination threshold for the children at risk, could prove useful in the prevention injuries leading to fatality, and provide additional information to rule out abuse.