Description
Osseous metaplasia (Heterotropic bone formation) is a recognised sequel to slow growing lesions, benign or malignant, in various organs, both within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. Whilst it is rare, and often represents an incidental finding, it is not thought to alter the presentation or prognosis of the underlying disease. Despite its lack of clinical significance, it is important to recognise this change to avoid misinterpreting other lesions such as carcinosarcoma, which carries a much poorer prognosis. Over the last decade, a variety of mechanisms have been postulated on the pathogenesis of osseous metaplasia, but the precise nature of this condition remains obscure.
We report a case of osseous metaplasia occurring in association with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, another condition which frequently causes diagnostic difficulty.
