Annals of African Medicine
Home About AAM Editorial board Ahead of print Current Issue Archives Instructions Subscribe Contact us Search Login 


 
CASE REPORT
Year : 2007  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 203-206 Table of Contents     

Myositis ossificans circumscripta of the supra-orbital region: A case report


1 Department of Dental Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Department of Dental Surgery, 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria
4 Maxillofacial Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria, Nigeria

Date of Web Publication29-Sep-2009

Correspondence Address:
S O Ajike
Maxillofacial Unit, A. B. U.Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State
Nigeria
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/1596-3519.55694

Rights and Permissions
   Abstract 

Myositis ossificans circumscripta is a pathological condition characterized by formation of bony tissue within the skeletal muscles following repeated trauma. A case of myositis ossificans circumscripta of the supra-orbital region in a 25-year-old man is presented and the pertinent literature is reviewed. To the best our knowledge this benign lesion has not been reported previously in the orbital region the world literature. Clinically the patient presented with a swelling and proptosis of the right eye. Radiologically there was a rounded opacity with well defined margin. Lesion was initially misdiagnosed as a fibro-osseous lesion; however microscopic examination indicated matured myositis ossificans. Lesion was excised via a bicoronal flap. Careful clinical, radiological and pathologic evaluation is required to make this uncommon diagnosis in an unusual location such as the supra-orbital region to avoid unnecessary surgical mutilation of the patient.

   Abstract in French 

La Myosite circumscripta ossificane est un état pathologique caractérisé par la formation de tissu osseux dans le muscle squelettique à la suite des traumatismes répétés. Un cas de la myosite circumscripta ossificane de la région supra orbitale chez un homme âgé de 25 ans est ici présenté et aussi la pertinence de la littérature est révisée. A notre connaissance, cette lésion bénigne n'a pas été signalée précédemment dans la région orbitale de la littérature du monde. Cliniquement le patient s'est présenté atteint du gonflement et du propose de l'œil droit. Radiologiquement, il y avait une opacité arrondie avec des marges bien définies. Lésion a été au départ mal diagnostiqué comme une fibro-lésion osseuse ; toutefois, l'examen microscopique avait indiqué la myosite ossification mûre. Lésion a été excisée par l'intermédiaire d'un bicoronal flap. Prise en charge clinique, radiologique et évaluation pathologique est nécessaire pour faire ce diagnostique rare dans une situation inhabituelle telle que la région supra orbitale afin d'éviter les mutilations chirurgicales évitable chez le patient

Keywords: Myositis ossificans, supraorbital


How to cite this article:
Ajike S O, Mohammed A, Adebayo E, Ononiwu C N, Omisakin O O. Myositis ossificans circumscripta of the supra-orbital region: A case report. Ann Afr Med 2007;6:203-6

How to cite this URL:
Ajike S O, Mohammed A, Adebayo E, Ononiwu C N, Omisakin O O. Myositis ossificans circumscripta of the supra-orbital region: A case report. Ann Afr Med [serial online] 2007 [cited 2023 Oct 4];6:203-6. Available from: https://www.annalsafrmed.org/text.asp?2007/6/4/203/55694


   Introduction Top


Myositis ossificans circumscripta is a solitary non-progressive benign ossifying lesion.[1] It is usually secondary to trauma[2],[3] or occasionally with no history of trauma.[4] The pathogenesis of this lesion involves chipping of the periosteum, organization of hematoma with connective tissue metaplasia. There is no sex predilection, however, majority are reported in young adult males[5] and less commonly in children.[6] As the lesion progresses, plain radiographs will usually demonstrate floccullar opacification[7] with no serum biochemical changes.[8] Surgical excision is the main stay of treatment for myositis ossificans circumscripta.[2],[3],[9],[10]

Previous reports of this pathology occurring in the head and neck region are case reports involving the temporalis[5],[9] and the masticatory[3],[10],[11] muscles. We therefore present a case of limitation of ocular movement from myositis ossificans circumscripta in a very unusual location; the orbital plate of the frontal bone with no previous history of trauma.

Case report

A 25-year-old male farmer was referred with a history of swelling in the right supra-orbital rim and diplopia of two years duration. Swelling started as a small growth which was managed at a chemist shop with medications and massaging but still persisted. Past medical and dental histories were non-contributory.

Maxillofacial examination revealed facial asymmetry with a swelling in the right supra-orbital region[Figure 1]. There was proptosis, inferolateral displacement of the right eye with epiphora and diplopia of the right eye. Swelling was non-tender, bony hard with freely mobile overlying skin. Radiographic examination revealed a rounded opacity with well defined margin in the superomedial aspect of the right orbital rim [Figure 2]. The paranasal sinuses were normal. A provisional diagnosis of fibro-osseous lesion was made; hematological test results and urinalysis were within normal limits.

Under a nasoendotracheal intubation and after the routine cleaning and draping lesion was exposed and excised via a bicoronal approach and the resultant cavity was irrigated with normal saline. Hemostasis was achieved and a frontonasal drain was inserted. Flap was replaced and wound sutured with 1/0 silk. Immediate postoperatively the eye was repositioned in the socket with some degree of enophthalmos[Figure 3]. Postoperative course was uneventful and there has been no recurrence 2 years after treatment.

The excised lesion which measured approximately 7x5x4cm weighed 38g appeared as an irregular stag horn dense bony tissue covered by thin cartilage[Figure 4]. Decalcified tissue on section, revealed a gray appearance with an irregular whiter central portion. Microscopy showed calcified network of cancellous to woven bone with fibrous marrow spaces, some with residual calcified debris[Figure 5].


   Discussion Top


Myositis ossificans of the head and neck region is more commonly found in the masseteric,[3] temporalis,[5],[9] buccinator,[10] pterygoideus,[11] sternomastoid[12] and rarely in the scaleneus medius[13] muscles.

The case reported here was found in an unusual location; the orbital plate of the frontal bone. To the best our knowledge this may be the first case of myositis ossificans circumscipta to be documented in this location. Most authors have associated this lesion with trauma,[2],[3],[4],[5],[6] however Ogilvie-harris[4] documented a case without a history of trauma. In this reported case no history of trauma could be elicited.

Occurrence of myositis ossificans usually results in functional impairments. In the masticatory muscles it results in trismus,[3],[5],[11] in the sternomastoid muscles it leads to torticollis.[12] In our case, there was restricted downward movement of the right eye with diplopia on downward gaze. This may be due to change in the configuration of the orbit and change in muscle fiber orientation due to the presence of the intra-ocular mass. This was corrected following surgery.

Although, it may occur at an age with no gender predilection, it is rarely encountered in children[6] and is more commonly reported in young adult males.[5] This may probably be related to the implicated etiologic factor of trauma as males are more involved in physical activities.

The biochemical findings are usually within normal limits. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell count are rarely elevated. This we believe further attests to the non-infective nature of this condition.

Early radiographic examinations are usually unremarkable. This may masquerade as a cyst and in this our report a frontocele. However ultra-sound is a useful diagnostic tool at this stage.[14] Serial radiographs are of immense value as this usually demonstrates the progression of the ossification at about two to six weeks from onset to circumscribed calcification at six to eight weeks.[7] Computerized tomography scan demonstrates fascial edema and swelling in the earliest stage before ossification,[14] while magnetic resonance imaging reveals variable heterogeneously enhanced mass in the muscles depending on the age of the lesion.[15]

Early stages of the lesion are usually misdiagnosed as osteosarcoma necessitating unwarranted radical surgery. Late stage myositis ossificans consisting almost entirely of mature lamellar bone, may be misinterpreted as an osteoma or a fibro-osseous lesion.[6] Coincidentally, fibro-osseous lesion was the clinical diagnosis in this our report.

The treatment of myositis ossificans is surgical excision[13],[15] of the lesion. The surgical approach of a bicoronal incision was to offer us a wide surgical field coupled with the absence of any facial scar or keloid post-operatively which is common in Africans.



 
   References Top

1.Bullough PG. Vigorita VJ. Myositis ossificans circumscripta. In: Atlas of orthopaedic pathology with clinical and radiological correlations. Gower Medical Publishing, New York, 1984; 1417-1419.   Back to cited text no. 1      
2.Aoki T, Naito H, Ota Y, Shiiki K. Myositis ossificans traumatica of the masticatory muscles: review of the literature and report of a case.J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002;60:1083-1088.   Back to cited text no. 2      
3.Yano H, Hamamoto H, Hirata R, Hirano A. Post-traumatic severe trismus caused by impartment of the masticatory muscle. J Craniofac Surg. 2005;16:277-280.   Back to cited text no. 3      
4.Ogilvie-Harris DJ, Fornasier VL. Psendomaligrant myositis ossificans: heterotrophic new bone formation without a history of trauma.J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1980;62:1274-1283.   Back to cited text no. 4      
5.Saka B, Strophal G, Gundlach KK. Traumatic myositis ossificans (ossifying pseudotumour) of temporal muscle.Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002;31:110-111.   Back to cited text no. 5      
6.Gindele A, Schwamben D, Tsironis K, Benz-Bohm G. Myositis ossificans traumatica in young children: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.Pediatr Radiol. 2000;30:451-459.   Back to cited text no. 6      
7.Nuovo MA, Norman A, Chamas J, Ackerman LV. Myositis ossificans with atypical clinical radiographic and pathologic findings a review of 213 cases.Skeletal Radiol. 1992;21:87-101.   Back to cited text no. 7      
8.Sharon WW, John RG. Osseous soft tissue tumours. In: Enzinger and Weiss's soft tissue tumours. Mosby, St. Louis, 2001;1389-1419.   Back to cited text no. 8      
9.Uematsu Y, Nishibayashi H, Fujita K, Matsumoto H, Itakuma T. Myositis ossificans of the temporal muscle as a primary scalp tumour.Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2005;45:56-58.   Back to cited text no. 9      
10.Wussow GC. Myositis Ossificans of the buccinators muscle. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1968; 26: 615-618.  Back to cited text no. 10      
11.Takashashi K, Sato K. Myositis ossificans traumatica of the medial pterygoid muscle. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1997;57:451-456.   Back to cited text no. 11      
12.Woolgar JA, Triantafyllou A. Myositis ossificans traumatica of sternomastoid muscles presenting as cervical lymph node metastasis.Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1995;24:190.   Back to cited text no. 12      
13.Sarac S, Sennarough L, Hasal AS, Sopzeri B. Myositis ossificans in the neck.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 1999;256:199-201.   Back to cited text no. 13      
14.Okayama A. Futani HKF, Maruo S, Koezuka A, Kinoshita G. Usefulness of ultrasanography for early recurrent myositis ossificans.J Orthop Sci. 2003;8:239-242.   Back to cited text no. 14      
15.Kransdor FMJ, Meis JM, Jelinek JS. Myositis ossificans: MR appearance with radioloigic-pathologic correlation.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1991;157:1243-1248.  Back to cited text no. 15      


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]


This article has been cited by
1 Endoscopic Removal of Supraperiosteal Heterotopic Ossification of the Forehead
Kwang Sik Seo, Jae Woo Lee
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2022; Publish Ah
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Epibulbar Proliferative Fasciitis, a Variant of Nodular Fasciitis: A Differential Diagnosis of Conditions With Focal or Diffuse Myxoid Stromas
Frederick A. Jakobiec, Paula Cortes Barrantes, Lina Ma, Martin Mihm
Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2021; 37(5): 399
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 Nasofrontal heterotopic ossification following lymphangioma resection
Francis, C.S. and Kim, D. and Chaudhry, O. and Rizvi, M. and Urata, M.M. and Hammoudeh, J.A.
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2011; 22(6): 2381-2384
[Pubmed]
4 Heterotopic ossification in systemic sclerosis
Botzoris, V.G., Argyropoulou, M.I., Voulgari, P.V., Zikou, A.K., Drosos, A.A.
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 2009; 38(4): 317-319
[Pubmed]
5 Heterotopic ossification in systemic sclerosis
V. G. Botzoris,M. I. Argyropoulou,P. V. Voulgari,A. K. Zikou,A. A. Drosos
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 2009; 38(4): 317
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
    Abstract
    Introduction
    Discussion
    References
    Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed4263    
    Printed228    
    Emailed1    
    PDF Downloaded83    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 5    

Recommend this journal