An unusual case of bowel obstruction in emergency surgery: The heterotopic mesenteric ossification

The heterotopic mesenteric ossification, also known as myositis ossificans, is a rare form of heterotopic ossification, a metaplastic phenomenon where new bone is formed in the mesenteric base, generally after abdominal trauma (surgical or other). The pathophysiology of heterotopic mesenteric ossification is unknown; clinical presentation is not specific, with vague abdominal symptoms, uncertain radiological findings, and often regular laboratory exams. No consensus exists on the best possible approach, although it might well be both medical and surgical. We reviewed the clinical history of a 28-year-old man with a recent motor vehicle accident who was admitted to our surgical unit with symptoms consistent with a small bowel obstruction; after surgery, a diagnosis of myositis ossificans was surprisingly made.