Abstract
Myositis ossificans typically presents as soft tissue swelling with progressive ossification on radiographs. Since magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to evaluate soft tissue masses, we analyzed eight MR examinations in seven patients with myositis ossificans to determine if typical patterns were present. One acute lesion had homogeneous intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Two subacute lesions had low signal intensity margins with slightly increased signal intensity centers on T1-weighted images and very high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Five chronic lesions had two different patterns. All five were well-defined with low signal intensity borders. Three had signal intensity patterns characteristic of fat on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. The other two lesions had intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and slightly increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
We conclude that typical MR appearances of myositis ossificans do exist. A low signal intensity rim is a common finding. However, these patterns are not unique to myositis ossificans and resemble those that have been reported in other lesions. It is important to be aware of the spectrum of MR findings of myositis ossificans when considering the differential diagnosis of a soft tissue mass.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barea FL, Peralto JLR, Lopez JG, Grueso FSP (1991) Case report 694. Skeletal Radiol 20:539
Berquist TH, Ehman RL, King BF, Hodgman CG, Ilstrup DM (1990) Value of MR imaging in differentiating benign from malignant soft-tissue masses: study of 95 lesions. AJR 155:1251
Booth DW, Westers BM (1989) The management of athletes with myositis ossifcans traumatica. Can J Sport Sci 14:10
Hanna SL, Magill HL, Brooks MT, Burton EM, Boulden TF, Seidel FG (1990) Cases of the day. Radiographics 10:945
Heinrich SD, Zembo MM, MacEwen GD (1989) Pseudomalignant myositis ossificans. Orthopedics 12:599
Kransdorf MJ, Meis JM, Jelinek JS (1991) Myositis ossificans: MR appearance with radiologic-pathologic correlation. AJR 157:1243
Laurin NR, Powe JE, Pavlosky WF, Driedger AA (1990) Multimodality imaging of early heterotopic bone formation. J Can Assoc Radiol 41:93
Rooser B, Herrlin K, Rydholm A, Akerman M (1989) Pseudomalignant myositis ossificans — clinical, radiologic, and cytologic diagnosis in 5 cases. Acta Orthop Scand 60:457
Ryan JB, Wheeler JH, Hopkinson WJ, Arciero RA, Kolakowski KR (1991) Quadriceps contusions, West Point update. Am J Sports Med 19:299
Schutte HE, van der Heul RO (1990) Pseudomalignant, nonneoplastic osseous soft-tissue tumors of the hand and foot. Radiology 176:149
Sundaram M, McLeod RA (1990) MR imaging of tumor and tumorlike lesions of bone and soft tissue. AJR 155:817
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Smet, A.A., Norris, M.A. & Fisher, D.R. Magnetic resonance imaging of myositis ossificans: analysis of seven cases. Skeletal Radiol. 21, 503–507 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195231
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195231