title: [Bone in a laparotomy scar].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heterotopic ossification is the formation of bone in tissues outside the skeletal system. Ectopic bone in a midline laparotomy scar is usually asymptomatic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 59-year-old man was referred by his GP to the surgical outpatient clinic because of dull epigastric pain along with a painful swelling. He had undergone a midline laparotomy 6 months earlier. A CT scan revealed a longitudinal ossification of 9 cm in length, extending from the xyphoid process to the umbilicus. The structure was excised because of progressive symptoms. The diagnosis of heterotopic ossification was confirmed by histopathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case describes the clinical and histopathological presentation of heterotopic ossification in a laparotomy scar. Current insights and the pathophysiology of this condition are reviewed. Treatment is only indicated in symptomatic patients, and consists of surgical excision.
authors.affiliation: Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden, afd. Chirurgie, Leeuwarden.
authors.forename: Annel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lameijer
authors.forename: Gabi B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Murrmann
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Apers
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed