Heterotrophic ossification on a skin graft in a postburn scar of the chin

Some patients who have heterotrophic ossification (HO) in a postburn scar are occasionally seen in the clinic. The occurrence of HO following hip and abdominal surgery is common in males, whereas females are frequently affected following burns. The HO of skin grafts in burn scars of the superior body parts is uncommon, especially on the face. We report a recent case of a male patient in whom HO arose on skin grafts on his chin. The patient presented with a history of a painless chin mass for 48 years. Computed tomography scan suggested that the mass was located within subcutaneous tissue away from the lower jaw. The density of the mass was almost the same as the cortical bone of the lower jaw. The mass was completely resected under general anesthesia. It was a rectangular mass of 3× 0.5× 0.3 cm. Histological examination gave the diagnosis of HO, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemical stainings for vimentin. Recurrence was not found in this case by clinical and radiologic follow-up at 1 year after surgery.