title: Heterotopic ossification of the abdominal wall.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heterotopic ossification is a rare, benign condition which occurs when bone develops in tissues that do not normally ossify.
  
  
  METHODS
  We herein report the case of a 73-year-old gentleman who underwent a laparotomy for a large splenic flexure tumour considered unresectable at initial intervention. Following delivery of chemotherapy, he was referred for a second opinion and the tumour with adjacent structures was removed at a subsequent laparotomy. A segment of abnormal hard tissue present in the abdominal wall was also excised. Histopathology revealed metaplastic bone deposition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heterotopic ossification may occur at various sites and is a recognised but exceedingly infrequent sequela of abdominal surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights clinical, aetiological and histopathological features of this rare finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, University College Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niamh M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Emer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caffrey
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.forename: Myles R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Joyce