Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: CT appearance

Soft tissue calcifications: a pictorial essay

Soft-tissue calcifications are extremely common. Because the imaging findings are nonspecific, soft-tissue calcifications are often problematic for radiologists, sometimes prompting unnecessary interventions. In addition, the nomenclature is quite confusing. Classically, soft-tissue calcifications are divided into four categories, by mechanism of formation-dystrophic, iatrogenic, metastatic, and idiopathic-depending on the clinical and biochemical correlation. However, it is also possible to classify such calcifications by compartment, and that classification can be quite useful in the radiological diagnostic assessment. In this article, we illustrate the main causes of soft-tissue calcifications, organizing them according to their anatomical and pathophysiological aspects, thus narrowing the differential diagnosis.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva - A Rare Genetic Disorder and the Role of Technetium-99m Methylene Diphosphonate Bone Scan

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disease believed to occur in approximately 1 in 2 million people worldwide and is characterized by progressive extraosseous ossification over the course of a lifetime in an inevitable and unpredictable episodic manner, with most patients being confined to a wheelchair by the third decade of life and requiring life-long care. The extraosseous calcification involves ligaments, tendons, muscles, and connective tissue leading to severe restriction of movements. Another hallmark of this condition is abnormal great toes. The diagnosis is often made on clinical and radiological examination, but Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) bone scan is usually indicated to determine the extent of the disease. We hereby present a case series comprising of four patients suffering from this debilitating illness who underwent Tc99m MDP bone scan for initial diagnosis and localizing sites of heterotopic ossification.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a current review of imaging findings

OBJECTIVE

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disorder characterized by congenital skeletal deformities and soft tissue masses that progress to heterotopic ossification. Deformities of the great toes are distinctive, and heterotopic ossification in the soft tissues follows an expected anatomic and temporal pattern. In addition to heterotopic ossification, osteochondromata, middle ear ossification, demyelination, lymphedema, and venous thrombosis are characteristic. Awareness of this constellation of findings is important to early diagnosis and surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of the imaging manifestations of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is imperative to early diagnosis in order to appropriately direct patient care and preclude unnecessary biopsies or surgical procedures.

Myositis ossificans progressive: case report

Myositis ossificans progressiva (MOP) is an autosomal dominant disorder. There is a progressive ectopic ossification and skeletal malformation, mainly in the connective tissue of muscle. The diagnosis is based on the clinical findings and radiological demonstration of the skeletal malformations. A 38-year-old female patient was admitted to our department with progressive increase of the thigh. Results of laboratory studies were normal. The radiography of the right thigh showed multiple intramuscular calcifications. Myositis ossificans progressiva should be diagnosed as early as possible and non-invasively, based upon history, clinical and radiological findings. Early and correct diagnosis is fundamental for indication of proper management of the disease.

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of myositis ossificans - case report

Background

The term myositis ossificans refers to the formation of ossifications in the muscles, ligaments and fascias, usually as a result of trauma. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disease in which heterotopic ossifications appear in early childhood and are accompanied by feet and spine defects.

Case Report

We present a case of a 31-year-old woman with massive heterotopic ossifications who suffered multiple injuries. We would like to emphasize the role of computed tomography in the exact localization of ossifications.

Conclusions

Thanks to the volume rendering techniques and 3D image reconstructions, it is possible to precisely determine the position of ossifications in relation to the internal organs and blood vessels, allowing to schedule the surgery to remove the lesions.

MYOSITIS OSSIFICANS PROGRESSIVA: CASE REPORT

Myositis ossificans progressiva is a rare autosomal dominant disease with less than 1,000 case reports. Such patients present edema, caused by inflammatory processes that progressively calcify, and with loss of mobility in the region affected. The objective of this study was to describe a case of myositis ossificans progressiva, present its clinical manifestations and discuss the treatments available (oral ascorbic acid and intravenous bisphosphonate).

Craniofacial findings in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: computerized tomography evaluation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was the evaluation by using computerized tomography (CT) of craniofacial abnormalities in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) patients regarding jaw restriction and retrognathia.

STUDY DESIGN

Seven FOP patients were evaluated retrospectively in this observational study. Inclusion criteria were detection of ACVR1 gene mutation and complete craniofacial CT examination. The age of jaw restriction and presence of retrognathia were clinically determined. The features analyzed were skull base structures and heterotopic ossification (HO).

RESULTS

Of this group (age range 4-23 years), the 3 oldest patients presented with jaw restriction and retrognathia as well as displayed elongation of the lateral pterygoid plate with HO of the pterygoid muscles that reached the medial surface of the right mandibular ramus. They had significant history of trauma or surgery. The other 4 patients did not have retrognathia or HO involving the facial or masticatory muscles, and the mouth opening was normal.

CONCLUSIONS

CT evaluation can reveal HO of the pterygoid muscles that probably may cause jaw restriction and retrognathia in older FOP patients.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva-like condition in a cat

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)-like condition was diagnosed in a Japanese domestic cat with stiffness, marked atrophy of the muscles, and limited mobility of all joints in both the pelvic limbs. Etretinate, a retinoid, was used for medical management; however, no improvement in the clinical signs was observed. Inheritance of the disorder has not yet been demonstrated. Furthermore, the clinical signs and histopathological findings of feline FOP-like condition in the present case differed from those of the previously reported cases.

Imaging and diagnostic strategy of soft tissue tumors in children

The diagnosis of a soft tissue mass in children is a common clinical situation. Most of the lesions are benign and can be treated conservatively or by non-mutilating surgery. Nevertheless, the possibility of a malignant soft tissue tumor must be systematically considered. The most frequent benign soft tissue lesions in children are vascular lesions, fibrous and fibrohistiocytic tumors and pseudotumors, whereas rhabdomyosarcomas account for 50% of all soft tissue sarcomas. A child presenting an atypical soft tissue mass should be managed by a multidisciplinary centre, and primary resection must be proscribed until a definite diagnosis has been established. The role of imaging is essential either to confirm the benign nature of the mass or to give arguments to perform a diagnostic biopsy. Clinical examination, conventional radiography and ultrasound with Doppler represent the first-line examinations and are sometimes sufficient to assess a diagnosis. In all other situations, MRI is mandatory to establish the probable nature of the lesion and to assess local extension.

Ankylosis of the jaw in a patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

A case of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is presented. This uncommon connective tissue disease tends to produce progressing ectopic osteogenesis. Because there are no reported curative procedures for TMJ ankylosis occurring in this condition, a palliative surgical approach is described. Etiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of the disease is reviewed. Recent research in BMP cytokine-induced bone repair may allow new approaches to treating this debilitating disease in the future.

Anesthetic management in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP): a case report

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare congenital disorder of connective tissue, which has significant implications on anesthetic management of affected patients, e.g., application of difficult airway algorithm, avoiding any trauma during venous cannulation. FOP has received very limited reviews in the published anesthesia literature. We describe perioperative care of a 21-year-old female with established diagnosis of FOP presenting for hysteroscopy followed by dilatation and curettage. Multiorgan abnormalities of FOP are reviewed and available anesthetic options are analyzed and compared.

Myositis ossificans progressiva: five generations where the disease was exclusively limited to the maxillofacial region. A case report

Myositis ossificans progressiva is an unusual autosomal-dominant inherited disease characterized by congenital malformations and osseous metaplasia of the fascia of the muscles and connective tissue leading to ossification of the relevant area. The case report is remarkable in that eight members of the same family over five generations manifested the exclusive localization of the disease in the maxillofacial region.

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.

Spinal deformity in patients who have fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

We reviewed roentgenograms and clinical records in order to characterize the spinal deformity in forty patients who had an established diagnosis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Twenty-six (65 per cent) of the patients had scoliosis, which, according to the clinical records and the recollection of the patients, had been present during childhood. Twenty-three (88 per cent) of the twenty-six curves were unbalanced c-shaped curves, while the remaining three (12 per cent) were balanced s-shaped curves. Twenty-one (91 per cent) of the twenty-three c-shaped curves involved the thoraco-lumbar or lumbar spine. The c-shaped curves ranged in magnitude from 15 to more than 80 degrees. Curves became rigid by early adulthood and many resulted in severe pelvic obliquity with impaired sitting or standing balance. An osseous bridge developed between the posterolateral aspect of the iliac crest and the posterolateral aspect of the rib cage in twenty-two (55 per cent) of the forty patients. Nineteen (86 per cent) of these twenty-two patients had scoliosis; there was a significant association between the development of scoliosis and the presence of the osseous bridge (p < 0.005). Ossification of the paravertebral muscles and fascia during the first decade of life limited the development of a normal thoracic kyphosis in ten (42 per cent) of twenty-four patients for whom lateral roentgenograms of the spine were available. A spinal orthosis was used to treat the scoliosis in two patients, but this method resulted in breakdown of the skin and failed to halt progression of the curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metaphyseal abnormalities in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare, congenital disorder characterized by diffuse ossification of extraskeletal connective tissue. The classical features and progression of the disease are described and three cases are presented which fall into the general pattern of FOP clinically and radiologically. A constant feature seen was a slight metaphyseal flaring with spiking at the edges of the metaphyses, compatible with minor alteration in bone morphology during growth. These changes cannot be seen after epiphyseal fusion. The major abnormalities persist into adult life.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. An 11-year-old boy treated with a diphosphonate

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a severe, rare, autosomal dominant, ectopic ossifying condition, with primary involvement of the skeletal muscles associated with skeletal abnormalities. This report concerns an 11-year-old boy suffering from FOP, who presented significant modification of the musculoskeletal structure of the thorax and problems with articular movements. The patient showed progress after treatment with ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP). In fact, using a scintiscanner we were able to observe a significant improvement in symptoms and a recovery of some of the active sites of ossification.

Trismus and multifocal soft tissue ossification. A presentation of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva?

A 21-year-old female patient presented with trismus, initially diagnosed as related to pericoronitis. Computed tomography demonstrated heterotopic soft tissue ossification involving both medial pterygoids which was later followed by similar features in the submandibular muscles and right quadriceps. A variant of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva was considered the likeliest diagnosis. The computed tomographic features of the condition and the importance of early diagnosis are stressed.