Heterotopic mesenteric ossification in a child: Case report

The term heterotopic ossification refers to bone formation in normally non-ossifying tissue. It represents a benign, localized, self-limiting and well-circumscribed lesion, and the phenomenon is rather unusual in the immediate vicinity of bones. Likewise, it is very rare in soft tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, where it is also known as heterotopic mesenteric ossification (HMO). Intra-abdominal heterotopic ossification (IHO) is also known as intra-abdominal myositis ossificans, mesenteritis ossificans, heterotopic mesenteric ossification, and heterotopic ossification of the intestinal mesentery. It is extremely rare and only approximately 30 cases have been reported in the literature since it was first described in 1983. This paper presents the case of a male 14 year-old patient diagnosed with mesenteric ossification who was treated by the pediatric surgeons. Additionally, the authors present a review of the medical literature regarding this condition