Osseous metaplasia: a late pathological finding within the scar tissue formed following spinal injury

A total of 17 cordectomy specimens and 22 post mortem specimens from long survival spinal injury patients were reviewed. Bone formation within the scar tissue was found in 28.5 per cent of cases. The evidence suggests that this is metaplastic bone formed within dense collagenous scar tissue. The significance of this osseous metaplasia is discussed.