Myositis Ossificans of the Thighs Due to Repeated Assault: A Case Report

Heo, Jin-Haeng; Kwon, Jeong-hwa; Cha, Jang Gyu; Jang, Seon Jung

doi:2024.48.4.180

Korean J Leg Med > Volume 48(4); 2024 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2024;48(4):180-184.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2024.48.4.180 Published online November 30, 2024.

Myositis Ossificans of the Thighs Due to Repeated Assault: A Case Report

Jin-Haeng Heo¹

, Jeong-hwa Kwon¹

, Jang Gyu Cha²

, Seon Jung Jang¹

¹Forensic Medicine Division, National Forensic Service Busan Institute, Yangsan, Korea
²Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea

지속적인 폭행에 의해 발생한 허벅지 골화근육염: 증례보고

허진행¹

, 권정화¹

, 차장규²

, 장선정¹

¹국립과학수사연구원 부산과학수사연구소 법의학과
²순천향대학교 부천병원 영상의학과

Correspondence: Seon Jung Jang, Tel: +82-55-380-4001, Fax: +82-55-380-4059,
Email: winue@naver.com

Received: 29 October 2024 • Revised: 15 November 2024 • Accepted: 25 November 2024

Abstract

Myositis ossificans (MO) is defined as a lesion where abnormal ossification forms in soft tissues, such as muscle, fascia, and ligament, usually as a result of trauma. It commonly appears in areas such as the thigh, hip, and elbow, though it can affect any part of the body. In the forensic field, MO resulting from trauma is reported to be valuable evidence of repeated physical abuse. This case report describes a deceased adult male with an intellectual disability, whose cause of death was multiple injuries from assault. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and autopsy findings revealed MO of both thighs associated with repeated physical abuse. This case also showed typical findings of MO on PMCT imaging, characterized by well-defined, high-density lesions within the quadriceps. Adults with intellectual disabilities are at high risk of abuse and assault. Therefore, autopsy findings of MO can serve as important evidence in forensic practice, considering the possibility of repeated abuse.

Key Words: Myositis ossificans, Osteogenesis, Autopsy, Postmortem imaging, Assault