Myositis ossificans in the chest wall: A case report

Abstract

Myositis ossificans is delineated and distinguished by the generation and deposition of cartilaginous and osseous soft tissues. It generally occurs in the lower extremities and is caused by direct trauma. During the different developmental stages of maturation, the lesion has different radiological appearances that can be confused with sarcomas. Here, we present the case of a 38-year-old woman who presented to the outpatient clinic with a painful mass in the lateral chest wall that had rapidly expanded and increased in size. The patient had no history of trauma. Chest computed tomography revealed an intramuscular mass in the lateral chest wall; postcontrast images demonstrated heterogeneous enhancement and peripheral calcification. The patient was then referred to our center for subsequent assessment and examinations. Pathological examination findings confirmed the diagnosis of myositis ossificans. Surgical resection was performed after obtaining patient consent. The symptoms experienced by the patient were successfully relieved, and no evidence of recurrence was observed during the 2-year follow-up period. Knowledge of the atypical locations of myositis ossificans, calcification patterns at different stages, and radiopathological correlations can help accurately diagnose myositis ossificans and avoid unnecessary medical imaging and interventions.

Keywords

• Myositis ossificans
• Chest wall mass
• Muscle injury
• Ossification