Abstract
Objective
To describe the characteristics of neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) based on clinical tests, electroneuromyography (ENMG) and CT in a database of patients with lesions of the central nervous system who required sciatic nerve neurolysis along with posterior hip NHO resection, and to determine the respective roles of ENMG and CT in the management of posterior hip NHOs in patients who are unable to communicate or express pain.
Methods
The consistency of the ENMG results with clinical findings, CT results and macroscopic signs of lesions was retrospectively assessed after sciatic nerve neurolysis and ablation of 55 posterior hip NHOs.
Results
Sciatic nerve neurolysis was necessary in 55 cases (47.4 %; 55 out of 116). CT showed contact of the NHO with the nerve in all cases: 5 in contact with no deflection, 3 in contact with deflection, 21 moulded into a gutter and 26 entrapped in the NHO. There were clinical signs of sciatic nerve lesion in 21.8 % of cases (12 out of 55). ENMG showed signs of sciatic nerve lesions in only 55.6 % (10 out of 18), only 4 of whom presented with clinical signs of a nerve lesion. No significant relationship was found between clinical symptoms and ENMG findings of sciatic nerve compression (n = 13, p = 0.77).
Conclusion
Nerve compression by NHO is likely an underdiagnosed condition, particularly in patients who are unable to communicate. Diagnosis of sciatic compression by NHO should be based on regular clinical examinations and CT. ENMG is not sufficiently sensitive to be used alone for surgical decision-making.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aubut JA, Mehta S, Cullen N, Teasell RW. A comparison of heterotopic ossification treatment within the traumatic brain and spinal cord injured population: an evidence based systematic review. Neurorehabilitation. 2011;28(2):151–60.
Baird EO, Kang QK. Prophylaxis of heterotopic ossification—an updated review. J Orthop Surg Res. 2009;4:12.
Genet F, Jourdan C, Schnitzler A, Lautridou C, Guillemot D, Judet T, et al. Troublesome heterotopic ossification after central nervous system damage: a survey of 570 surgeries. PLoS One. 2011;6(1):e16632.
Teasell RW, Mehta S, Aubut JL, Ashe MC, Sequeira K, Macaluso S, et al. A systematic review of the therapeutic interventions for heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2010;48(7):512–21.
Genet F, Chehensse C, Jourdan C, Lautridou C, Denormandie P, Schnitzler A. Impact of the operative delay and the degree of neurologic sequelae on recurrence of excised heterotopic ossification in patients with traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2012;27(6):443–8.
Abayev B, Ha E, Cruise C. A sciatic nerve lesion secondary to compression by a heterotopic ossification in the hip and thigh region—an electrodiagnostic approach. Neurologist. 2005;11(3):184–6.
Brooke MM, Heard DL, de Lateur BJ, Moeller DA, Alquist AD. Heterotopic ossification and peripheral nerve entrapment: early diagnosis and excision. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991;72(6):425–9.
Chua HC, Tan CB, Tjia H. A case of bilateral ulnar nerve palsy in a patient with traumatic brain injury and heterotopic ossification. Singapore Med J. 1997;38(10):447–8.
Derian PS, Bibighaus AJ. Sciatic nerve entrapment by ectopic bone after posterior fracture—dislocation of the hip. South Med J. 1974;67(2):209–10.
Manidakis N, Kanakaris NK, Nikolaou VS, Giannoudis PV. Early palsy of the sciatic nerve due to heterotopic ossification after surgery for fracture of the posterior wall of the acetabulum. J Bone Joint Surg (Br). 2009;91(2):253–7.
Safaz I, Alaca R, Bozlar U, Yasar E. Bilateral sciatic nerve entrapment due to heterotopic ossification in a traumatic brain-injured patient. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;87(1):65–7.
Thakkar DH, Porter RW. Heterotopic ossification enveloping the sciatic nerve following posterior fracture-dislocation of the hip: a case report. Injury. 1981;13(3):207–9.
Orzel JA, Rudd TG. Heterotopic bone formation: clinical, laboratory, and imaging correlation. J Nucl Med. 1985;26(2):125–32.
Carlier RY, Safa DM, Parva P, Mompoint D, Judet T, Denormandie P, et al. Ankylosing neurogenic myositis ossificans of the hip. An enhanced volumetric CT study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87(3):301–5.
Keenan MA, Mehta S. Neuro-orthopedic management of shoulder deformity and dysfunction in brain-injured patients: a novel approach. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2004;19(2):143–54.
Fikry T, Saidi H, Madhar M, Latifi M, Essadki B. Cubital tunnel syndrome and heterotopic ossification. Eight case reports. Chir Main. 2004;23(2):109–13.
Gallucci GL, Gallucci JL, De Carli P, Maignon GD. Entrapment of the ulnar nerve in heterotopic ossification of the elbow: a case report. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2003;12(6):637–40.
Hamdi MF, Aloui I, Allagui M. Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow and heterotopic ossification: a report of five cases. Neurochirurgie. 2010;56(4):340–3.
Wainapel SF, Rao PU, Schepsis AA. Ulnar nerve compression by heterotopic ossification in a head-injured patient. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1985;66(8):512–4.
Della Santa DR, Reust P. Heterotopic ossification and ulnar nerve compression syndrome of the elbow. A report of two cases. Ann Chir Main Memb Super. 1990;9(1):38–41.
Topuz K, Kutlay M, Simsek H, Atabey C, Demircan M, Senol GM. Early surgical treatment protocol for sciatic nerve injury due to injection—a retrospective study. Br J Neurosurg. 2011;25(4):509–15.
Kline DG, Kim D, Midha R, Harsh C, Tiel R. Management and results of sciatic nerve injuries: a 24-year experience. J Neurosurg. 1998;89(1):13–23.
Reinstein L, Eckholdt JW. Sciatic nerve compression by preexisting heterotopic ossification during general anesthesia in the dorsal lithotomy position. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1983;64(2):65–8.
Kleiman SG, Stevens J, Kolb L, Pankovich A. Late sciatic-nerve palsy following posterior fracture-dislocation of the hip. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1971;53(4):781–2.
Humphreys DB, Novak CB, Mackinnon SE. Patient outcome after common peroneal nerve decompression. J Neurosurg. 2007;107(2):314–8.
De Jonghe B, Lacherade JC, Durand MC, Sharshar T. Critical illness neuromuscular syndromes. Neurol Clin. 2008;26(2):507–20. ix.
Conflict of interest
No conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salga, M., Jourdan, C., Durand, MC. et al. Sciatic nerve compression by neurogenic heterotopic ossification: use of CT to determine surgical indications. Skeletal Radiol 44, 233–240 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-014-2003-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-014-2003-6