Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva - radiological findings: A case report

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva formerly known as Myositis ossificans progressiva is a rare hereditary mesodermal disorder. It is characterized by congenital skeletal anomalies and progressive ectopic bone formation in connective tissue, resulting in mature ossification within soft tissues and bridging between osseous structures. It is extremely rare and has an incidence of one in two million people. Usually, it has typical clinical and radiographic features. Here, we present a case of a young patient diagnosed to have an advanced fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Plain radiographs provide characteristic findings, and radiologists may play a major role in diagnosing and preventing invasive procedures or further traumatic insults to the affected patient. Though rare, diagnosis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva should be considered whenever characteristic radiographic features of multifocal heterotopic bone formation is seen along with the valgus deformities of the big toes. Being a rare condition, treatment guidelines are not clear and this condition needs further research.