Myositis ossificans in the neck

Myositis ossificans is a non-neoplastic heterotopic bone formation within muscle or soft tissues. The most commonly involved muscles are the muscles of the upper arm and thigh. Occurrence in the head and neck is rarely encountered clinically. A 53-year-old Turkish man (farmer) was operated on for traumatic myositis ossificans circumscripta in his neck. During the operation the mass was found to originate from the scalenus medius muscle and was readily and completely dissected from surrounding tissues. The histologic examination of the specimen revealed focal cartilage and mature bone tissue, which was compatible with the late stage of myositis ossificans. In 5 years of follow-up, the patient has remained asymptomatic and no signs of recurrence have been noted.