Value of bone scanning and computed tomography in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Usefulness of ultrasonography for early recurrent myositis ossificans

Myositis ossificans is a benign heterotopic ossifying condition of soft tissues. The lesion may cause persistent functional impairment of adjacent joints. Surgical intervention is often needed to regain normal function, even though a high recurrence rate is reported. In the present case, we found that recurrent myositis ossificans could not be demonstrated by radiography during the early stage. However, ultrasonography proved to be an excellent tool for detecting early recurrence of myositis ossificans and for distinguishing the condition from extraosseous sarcomas.

Fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder. Patients with FOP develop progressive ossification of muscle and connective tissue associated with pain and disability. Onset is typically in childhood, and congenital anomalies of the feet are an early sign of this condition. Pain and stiffness of the spine or an inflammatory mass are common presenting features of FOP. Involvement of the spine often leads to complete fusion mimicking ankylosing spondylitis. Studies of twins and families suggest that FOP is a genetically inherited autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance but variable expressivity. While radionuclide imaging and computed tomography are very sensitive for new bone formation and greatly assist the diagnosis of FOP, unfortunately, effective therapy is unavailable. We present twins with FOP and review the clinical, radiographic, and genetic manifestations of this disorder.

Myositis ossificans in childhood

Myositis ossificans is a benign, localized, ossifying lesion of soft tissues that is rarely reported in young children. This paper describes two cases found in a search of the surgical biopsy files of the Adelaide Children's Hospital over the 30 yr period from 1962 to 1991, in boys both aged 7 yrs. Diagnosis was assisted by combined clinical, radiological and histopathological information (including an adequate well-orientated biopsy in Case 1 that demonstrated the characteristic growth pattern) enabling differentiation from other possibilities such as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.