Manifestation of multifocal heterotopic ossifications with unusual locations as a complication after severe burn injury

Heterotopic bone formation is a well-known but rare complication after burns and other traumatic injuries. Pathology, aetiology, progression and management remain controversial. Joint immobilization in concert with an altered metabolism and aggressive physical therapy are suspected to be the cause of heterotopic bone formation. The most frequent sites of manifestation are major joints and large muscle groups. The formation of disseminated large ossifications in soft-tissue and juxta-articular bone bridges of small joints is barely mentioned in the literature. A case of most unvsual, massive heterotopic bone formation as a complication after severe burn is presented. In this patient serious complications after the severe burn injury primarily attracted clinical attention, so that diagnostic measures were delayed. Four months later after successful weaning from ventilation, the patient could describe his sites of pain. The therapeutic options were limited because of extensive and unusual localizations. This case emphasizes the necessity of an early and specific radiological diagnosis in long-term ventilated patients to avoid this serious complication.