Bilateral myositis ossificans of the masseter muscle after chemoradiotherapy and critical illness neuropathy--report of a rare entity and review of literature

Osteolipoma of head and neck - a review

OBJECTIVE

Due to the rarity of osteolipoma, current knowledge and understanding of its' clinical presentation, management, radiological features, histological characteristics, and prognosis are lacking and can present a clinical conundrum to clinicians and histopathologist alike, given wide range of differential diagnoses. This paper aims to compile, analyse and present details to augment the available literature on osteolipoma in the head and neck.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search on PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Science Citation Index, Google scholar and Cochrane database for osteolipoma in head and neck was performed up to the 1st May 2021. Reference lists from the relevant articles were then inspected and cross-referenced and any other pertinent publications were added to the review.

RESULTS

A total of 38 cases were identified from the literature. The commonest sites of involvement within the head and neck region were the oral cavity in 21 (56.8%) patients, followed by the neck in 7 (19.0%) patients. 29 (78.4%) patients presented with soft tissue swelling or mass making it the most common presenting feature. All patients had the tumour excised surgically; of which 18 (48.6%) were excised via transoral approach and 6 (16.2%) via open transcervical approach including 1 lateral pharyngotomy. 12 papers documented long-term follow-ups (median 12 months) with no recurrence. Only 1 regrowth was reported after 5-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteolipoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm which has a wide range differential diagnosis including malignant processes. Recognising this benign tumour through an awareness of presenting sign and symptoms, radiological features and histopathology findings is important for patient reassurance as well as avoiding unnecessary radical treatment.

Neurogenic heterotopic ossificans of hips in a case of expanded dengue syndrome following critical illness polyneuropathy

We present a case of 71-year-old man with bilateral hip neurogenic heterotopic ossificans following critical illness polyneuropathy as a complication of expanded dengue syndrome. His left hip was stiff and showed a circumferential ossific mass. After initial medical management, the patient underwent excision of ossific mass using posterior approach. For adequate excision, femoral head and neck were resected and a hybrid total hip arthroplasty was performed. The patient was followed up for 2 years and showed good clinical outcome without recurrence of heterotopic ossification. This case highlights the rare aetiology of neurogenic heterotopic ossification which is critical illness polyneuropathy following expanded dengue syndrome. It highlights that adequate resection and a total hip arthroplasty can be a viable option in selected cases of circumferential heterotopic ossification in old individuals.

Update on MR Imaging of Soft Tissue Tumors of Head and Neck

This article reviews soft tissue tumors of the head and neck following the 2020 revision of WHO Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumours. Common soft tissue tumors in the head and neck and tumors are discussed, along with newly added entities to the classification system. Salient clinical and imaging features that may allow for improved diagnostic accuracy or to narrow the imaging differential diagnosis are covered. Advanced imaging techniques are discussed, with a focus on diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast imaging and their potential to help characterize soft tissue tumors and aid in distinguishing malignant from benign tumors.

Radiotherapy in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by the formation of heterotopic ossification (HO) in muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Flare-ups, an inflammatory process that often precedes the formation of HO, can occur spontaneously, but trauma is also a common trigger. It is not known whether radiotherapy, especially in higher doses, might cause sufficient trauma or inflammation to trigger a flare-up and subsequent HO in FOP patients. We report the case of a patient undergoing radiotherapy for the treatment of a 1-cm-wide basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the lower lip. In addition, we present a systematic review of the available literature. Our patient received 54 Gy in 18 fractions with orthovoltage therapy, resulting in a clinical complete response of the tumor. Six months after treatment, there were no signs of HO either clinically or on [¹⁸F]NaF PET/CT. The systematic review identified 11 publications describing either radiation treatment in FOP or radiation therapy as a cause of HO in non-FOP patients. Six case reports described the use of radiation in FOP patients for various reasons, including one with a high-dose treatment of a lip BCC using superficial X-ray therapy. The remaining five studies described the use of low-dose radiotherapy to prevent or treat either an FOP flare-up or HO formation. None of these cases showed worsening of disease that could be attributed to the use of radiation therapy. Radiation induced HO in non-FOP patients was rare and occurred in five studies. The largest of these studies suggested that HO was induced after treatment with high doses, resulting in more widespread evidence of tissue damage, potentially being the end result of this damage. In conclusion, available reports suggest no contraindication to radiotherapy in FOP patients; although the number of cases was small, systematic toxicity reports often were not available, and none of the reports described high-dose, high-energy radiation treatment at locations such as muscle and joint regions.

Myositis Ossificans Traumatica of the Temporal Muscle: a Case Report and Literature Review Emphasizing Radiographic Features on Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objectives

Heterotopic bone formation within a muscle is designated as ‘myositis ossificans’, and it is associated with multiple aetiologies, such as trauma, genetic predisposition, post-infection, or undetermined causes. When the disease develops as a result of a trauma, the myositis ossificans is classified as ‘myositis ossificans traumatica’. In this case report, a case of myositis ossificans traumatica is described, emphasizing its imaging features. Additionally, a literature review of the imaging features of myositis ossificans is discussed.

Material and Methods

A 60-year old male patient presented with restricted mouth opening and pain during mastication. Multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations were conducted. Case reports in the literature of myositis ossificans were searched databases from August 1984 until April 2019 using the keyword ‘masticatory muscles’ combined with ‘myositis’; ‘inflammatory myositis’; infectious myositis’; ‘inflammatory muscle diseases’; ‘focal myositis’ and ‘proliferative myositis’. Data was summarised and evaluated according to a critical appraisal checklist for case reports.

Results

Multislice computed tomography demonstrated an ectopic hyperdense area arising from the coronoid bone and within the temporal muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the same area with a hypointense signal. In the literature review, 53 myositis ossificans cases were identified, and 12 cases affecting the temporal muscle were found.

Conclusions

The main imaging feature of myositis ossificans is the presence of a radiopaque, hyperdense or hypointense mass in the affected muscle, which is seen on multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The final diagnosis is through histopathological examination, although imaging can suggest the most likely diagnosis.

Myositis ossificans traumatica of the masticatory muscles: etiology, diagnosis and treatment

BACKGROUND

Myositis ossificans describes a heterotopic bone formation within a muscle. Thereby myositis ossificans is classified in two different groups: myositis ossificans progressiva (MOP) which describes a genetic autosomal dominant rare disease and myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT). The exact pathogenesis of MOT is unclear. The aim of this article was to analyse and interpret the existing literature reporting MOT of masticatory muscles and compare the results with our own clinical experience with MOT. Risk-factors, etiology, clinical features, diagnostic imaging, as well as different treatment options were evaluated and recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of MOT of the masticatory muscles were given.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA-Guidelines, a systematic search within the PubMed/Medline database with a view to record literature of MOT of the masticatory muscles was performed. Furthermore, the database of our own clinic was screened for cases of MOT.

RESULTS

In total, 63 cases of MOT of the masticatory muscles which were reported in English-based literature were included in this study. Overall, 25 female and 37 male patients could be analysed whereas one patient's gender was unknown. Complication of wisdom-tooth infection (n = 3) as well as the results of dental procedures like dental extraction (n = 7), mandibular nerve block (n = 4), periodontitis therapy (n = 1) were reported as MOT cases. From the 15 reported cases that appeared after dental treatment like extraction or local anesthesia the medial pterygoid (n = 10) was the most affected muscle. Hereof, females were more affected (n = 9) than males (n = 6). The most reported clinical symptom of MOT was trismus (n = 54), followed by swelling (n = 17) and pain (n = 13). One clinical case provided by the authors was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental procedures, such as local anesthesia or extractions, may cause MOT of the masticatory musculature. Demographical analyses demonstrate that females have a higher risk of developing MOT with respect to dental treatment. The most important treatment option is surgical excision. Subsequent physical therapy can have beneficial effects. Nevertheless, a benefit of interpositional materials and drugs as therapy of MOT of the masticatory muscles has not yet been proven. Myositis ossificans progressiva has to be excluded.

Suprazygomatic Access for Continuous Bilateral Mandibular Nerve Block for Pain and Trismus Relief in the Tetraplegic Patient

PURPOSE

Extraoral mandibular nerve block (MNB) is used in oropharyngeal surgery for analgesia and anesthesia. Repeated or continuous MNB has been used successfully as treatment for uncontrollable pain, masseter spasticity, and airway assessment. The usual technique involves transcutaneous infrazygomatic access. However, in some specific settings, this approach is not always feasible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A continuous bilateral MNB with a suprazygomatic approach to the pterygomandibular space was used to resolve a case of refractory and painful trismus in a patient with tetraplegia.

RESULTS

Analgesia was achieved and maintained by bilateral catheter placement to the pterygomandibular space and repeated injection of local anesthetic for 48 hours. The right-side catheter was accidentally withdrawn; the left-side catheter was maintained up to 72 hours. The efficiency of analgesia was not affected. This block provided effective analgesia within the first few hours after local anesthetic injection, helped to improve mouth opening, and resolved acute pain. Because kinesitherapy could be introduced, the patient was left on nonopioid analgesics.

CONCLUSION

Continuous bilateral MNB through the suprazygomatic approach was used safely and efficiently. The suggested approach is quite unique, as is the clinical circumstance, and might be considered when the usual technique is challenging.

Neuromuscular complications in cancer

Cancer is becoming a treatable and even often curable disease. The neuromuscular system can be affected by direct tumor invasion or metastasis, neuroendocrine, metabolic, dysimmune/inflammatory, infections and toxic as well as paraneoplastic conditions. Due to the nature of cancer treatment, which frequently is based on a DNA damaging mechanism, treatment related toxic side effects are frequent and the correct identification of the causative mechanism is necessary to initiate the proper treatment. The peripheral nervous system is conventionally divided into nerve roots, the proximal nerves and plexus, the peripheral nerves (mono- and polyneuropathies), the site of neuromuscular transmission and muscle. This review is based on the anatomic distribution of the peripheral nervous system, divided into cranial nerves (CN), motor neuron (MND), nerve roots, plexus, peripheral nerve, the neuromuscular junction and muscle. The various etiologies of neuromuscular complications - neoplastic, surgical and mechanic, toxic, metabolic, endocrine, and paraneoplastic/immune - are discussed separately for each part of the peripheral nervous system.

Myositis ossificans of the platysma mimicking a malignancy: a case report with review of the literature

The two main forms of myositis ossificans are congenital and acquired. Either form is rare in the head and neck region. The acquired form is often due to trauma, with bullying as a fairly common cause. This report of myositis ossificans of the platysma in an 11-year-old female patient emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion in unexplainable facial swellings in children and the benefit of modern investigative modalities in their management.

Trismus in the paediatric population

Trismus is a rare presentation affecting neonates, children, and adults. In newborns there are serious implications, with potential to affect feeding, cause airway problems, and make intubation difficult. Causes of trismus seen in the paediatric patient are discussed in this review article; they are divided into intra- and extra-articular types. The extra-articular group consists of congenital and acquired disorders. The acquired group includes infective causes such as tetanus, iatrogenic causes related to drugs, cancer or dental treatment, and trauma causing articulation difficulty or triggering a rare type of bone growth in myositis ossificans. Changes in the mouth resulting from oral submucous fibrosis can undergo malignant transformation. This review aims to raise awareness of potential causes of trismus in paediatric populations, helping clinicians identify the underlying pathology so appropriate strategies for treatment be applied, with the ultimate aim of improving long-term outlook and quality of life for affected children.

Post-infectious myositis ossificans in medial, lateral pterygoid muscles: A case report and review of the literature

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a disease where heterotropic bone forms within a muscle or other type of soft tissue. MO is classified into two groups, MO progressiva and post-traumatic MO. It rarely occurs in the masticatory muscles and thus, only 20 cases involving the masticatory muscles have been reported since 2001. The majority of the reported cases occurred due to trauma, repeated injury or surgical manipulation. However, in a small number of cases, no specific traumatic event was identified as the cause of MO. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of post-infectious MO to be reported in the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles.

Pseudomalignant myositis ossificans involving multiple masticatory muscles: Imaging evaluation

Myositis ossificans is a rare cause of trismus. We present a case of pseudomalignant myositis ossificans involving medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and temporalis muscles. Patient presented with gross limitation in mouth opening. There was no history of trauma. Computed tomography (CT) images revealed a bone density mass located in the region of medial and lateral pterygoid muscles on the right and temporalis muscle on the left. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed similar findings. Radiological diagnosis was pseudomalignant myositis ossificans. The masses were resected and histopathologic examination confirmed the above diagnosis. This report describes the characteristic CT and MRI features. The unique feature of this case is the absence of history of trauma with involvement of multiple masticatory muscles, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported before.