When ectopic bone forms in the abdomen: The diagnostic and management challenges of heterotopic mesenteric ossification.

Abstract

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification (HMO) is a rare medical condition, with < 100 cases reported globally by 2024. This disorder is characterized by abnormal bone tissue formation within the mesentery, often following abdominal trauma, ischemia, or infection. This editorial reviews the case presented by Zhang et al, involving a 34-year-old male who developed persistent left lower abdominal pain after sustaining blunt trauma to the abdomen. Diagnostic challenges arose due to the rarity and nonspecific presentation of HMO, which shares histopathological features with conditions such as myositis ossificans and necessitates differentiation from malignancies like sarcomas. Advanced imaging revealed calcifications suggestive of HMO, but definitive diagnosis was achieved only through surgical resection and histopathological analysis, which confirmed the presence of ectopic bone formation. Although benign, HMO can result in severe complications, such as bowel perforation or obstruction. Therefore, awareness of HMO is crucial for clinicians to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.