Osificación heterotópica neurógena. Veinte años después de una lesión medular traumática

Abstract

The case of a patient with a post-traumatic C8-D1 spinal cord ASIA B injury that occurred 22 years ago is presented. The patient initiated with acute erythema and induration at the anteromedial aspect of the right thigh. Examination and complementary tests confirmed the diagnosis of neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO). However, the patient did not have risk factors for NHO development. Treatment was started with prednisone and etidronate disodium with clinical and radiological improvement. Nonetheless, calcification persisted in the last imaging control.NHO is a common complication in the acute or subacute phase of post-traumatic spinal cord injuries. However, cases have been rarely reported in the years following the injury. Those found in the literature include predisposing risk factors. In our case, the difficulty to reach a correct diagnosis led to late treatment. Even so, the outcome was favorable.