Fasciitis ossificans with a radial neuropathy: a benign differential diagnosis for soft tissue sarcoma.
A soft tissue mass with an associated neuropathy suggests a malignancy with nerve compression or infiltration. However, there are benign diagnoses to consider. We report a case of an axillary mass with a radial nerve neuropathy, initially suspected to be a soft tissue sarcoma. The final diagnosis was fasciitis ossificans. This is the first such reported case. The presence of severe pain and tenderness suggested an inflammatory process. Fasciitis ossificans is a rare form of heterotopic bone formation, commonly presenting with signs of local inflammation or pain.
Rozen
W M
WM
Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. warrenrozen@hotmail.com
Galloway
S
S
Salinas
C
C
Allen
P
P
Schlicht
S
S
Mann
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020425:Radial Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy