Abstract
Traumatic myositis ossificans (TMO) is a disorder in which heterotopic ossification
occurs two to four weeks after one or multiple traumas. The goal of the present article
is to describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of a case of TMO in a
newborn (NB) after a peripheral intravenous cannulation, a rare procedure in the clinical
practice of neonatology. The patient is a premature 33-week-old NB who, 20 days after
birth, presented with a 3 cm x 2 cm lump in the distal third of the left forearm that
did not seem to cause pain or to limit movement, and with no evidence of infection.
The rest of the physical exam was within normal limits. Three weeks before the lesion,
a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) was placed in that area. A radiograph of
the left forearm showed soft-tissue calcification without disruption of adjacent bone
structures. Ultrasound revealed a focal, oval soft tissue lesion with partially-defined
borders and posterior acoustic shadow; the rest of study showed normal long bones.
The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus were all normal.
In view of the tumor lesion on the physical examination and the calcified image in
soft-tissue on plain X-ray and a recent history of PIVC microtrauma, we reached to
the diagnoses of TMO. During the follow-up, the lesion decreased in size until it
completely disappeared four months after the diagnosis. No radiological control was
needed. Uncommon in NBs, TMO is generally self-limited and with a good prognosis.
Keywords
myositis ossificans - neonatology - orthopedics - prematurity - newborn - trauma
