Role of radiotherapy in heterotopic ossification: a case report and literature review
Case Report

Role of radiotherapy in heterotopic ossification: a case report and literature review

Ming-Shan Huang1, Yu-Hsuan Chen1,2, Sung-Hsin Kuo1,2,3,4

1Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Cancer Research Center, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 4National Taiwan University Cancer Center, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Correspondence to: Sung-Hsin Kuo, MD, PhD. Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan S Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. Email: shkuo101@ntu.edu.tw.

Abstract: Heterotopic ossification (HO), a process of pathological bone formation in non-osseous tissue limits range of motion and causes stiffness of the affected joints. In addition to the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radiotherapy (RT) serves as an alternative prophylactic modality for the management of HO because RT potentially inhibits osteoprogenitor cell proliferation. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with known underlying medical conditions who developed grade 4 HO at her left hip joint following a cerebrovascular accident. She then underwent RT using conventional opposed anterior-posterior configurations to the left hip joint at a dose of 10 Gray (Gy) delivered in 2 fractions on 2 consecutive days, within 48 hours after excision of the HO. The patient did not report any acute adverse effects related to RT and demonstrated clinical improvement in her range of motion at the left hip without any recurrence of HO at her 2-year follow-up. Although HO is a rare disease entity, our results and those of prior studies demonstrate that the administration of RT using a 10 Gy dose delivered in 2 fractions postoperatively is a safe and effective prophylactic treatment option against HO.

Keywords: Heterotopic ossification (HO); radiotherapy (RT); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Received: 02 May 2018; Accepted: 11 July 2018; Published: 10 October 2018.

doi: 10.21037/tro.2018.07.02

Introduction

Heterotopic ossification (HO), the process of abnormal bone formation in non-osseous tissue, was first described by Riedel and was later reported by Dejerine and Ceillier in 1918 during World War I (1). Although it can develop at any site including the elbows, shoulders, knees, or other soft tissues associated with joints, the hip is the most common site of involvement (2,3). HO may limit the range of motion of joints and lead to stiffness, although a few patients might be diagnosed based only on radiographic findings in the absence of major clinical symptoms (3,4). Brooker et al. developed a classification for the assessment of HO, which is the most commonly used system globally (Table 1) (2). No specific etiological contributors have been identified in patients with HO; however, previous studies suggest the potential role of previous ipsilateral or contralateral HO, ankylosing spondylitis, hypertrophic osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, or hereditary diseases as possible risk factors associated with this condition (3,4).

Table 1

Brooker classification system of heterotopic ossification [adapted from Brooker et al. (2).]

Stage Description
I Bone islands within the soft tissue
II Bone spurs from the pelvis or proximal end of the femur, with at least 1 cm between opposing bone surfaces
III Bone spurs from the pelvis and/or proximal end of the femur, with less than 1 cm between opposing bone surfaces
IV Apparent bone ankylosis of the hip

The incidence of HO found by radiographic images after hip arthroscopy ranges from 4.7% to 44% (5,6). Karunakar et al. reported that 37 (57.8%) of 64 patients with displaced fractures of the acetabulum exposed through a Kocher-Langenbeck approach had HO at 12 weeks after operation (7). The incidence of HO after hip arthroplasty is reported even up to 92% for patients who have a previous history of HO formation on the opposite side (8). Clinically, the incidence of significant HO (Brooker classification; grade III or grade IV with symptoms) following total hip replacement varies from 3% to 7% (9). Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used as prophylactic agents against HO (10,11), these medications are contraindicated in patients with peptic ulcer, renal failure, or other comorbidities. Radiotherapy (RT) is an alternative treatment modality aimed at reducing the postoperative risk of development of HO (12). HO is a rare condition; thus, no globally accepted guidelines have been established for its management, and the dose and timing of the RT schedule/regimen vary among different hospitals/centers. We report a patient with HO who underwent adjuvant RT after the surgical resection. We also present a review of the literature describing clinical outcomes in patients with HO who receive variable RT regimens (variable doses and fractionations).

Case presentation (Figures 1,2)

Figure 1 Image showing the irradiated field in a patient with heterotopic ossification (HO). (A) An X-ray shows grade 4 HO at the left hip joint; (B) a plain film showing conventional opposed anterior-posterior configurations of the RT field applied to the left hip joint; (C) an X-ray obtained 3 weeks after irradiation shows significant improvement in HO observed at the left hip joint.
Figure 2 Preoperative computed tomography scan in a patient with heterotopic ossification showing (A) axial view and (B) coronal view demonstrating large ossified lesions at the left hip joint with compression of the adjacent soft tissue.

A 52-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a 1-year history of progressive stiffness of her left hip. She reported history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peptic ulcer, which were all controlled with regular medication intake. She also reported history of an old cerebrovascular accident 7 years prior to presentation, with residual left hemiplegia. She underwent T11–12 vertebroplasty secondary to compression fractures 3 years prior to presentation. Because she was bed-ridden, she resided in a nursing home and received regular rehabilitation therapy. During passive stretching exercise, she was observed to have developed limited motion of left hip flexion over a year prior to presentation. Following an episode of hydrocephalus with a decline in cognitive function, she underwent the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and after recovery, she was brought to our hospital for further management.

A pelvic X-ray showed a large amorphous soft tissue calcification at the left hip joint (Figure 1A). As shown in Figure 2, computed tomography (CT) revealed large ossified lesions at the left hip joint with compression of the adjacent muscular structures leading to the diagnosis of grade 4 HO. She underwent excision of the HO followed by RT because prophylactic use of NSAIDs was contraindicated in this patient owing to her underlying medical conditions.

The patient received a total dose of 10 Gray (Gy) delivered in 2 fractions over 2 consecutive days, within 48 hours of excision of the HO. We administered RT using conventional opposed anterior-posterior configurations to treat the left hip joint in this patient (Figure 1B). No acute adverse effects were reported after RT and following this treatment, she reported clinical improvement in her range of motion at the left hip, which improved up to 100° of motion. Figure 1C shows the post-irradiation X-rays demonstrating radiographic improvement in HO at the left hip. No recurrence of HO was identified at her 2-year follow-up after RT, and she was observed to be in a stable condition with a stationary range of motion of left hip flexion.

Discussion

Historically, HO was also termed ectopic ossification, para-osteoarthropathy, or myositis ossificans (13). Clinically, investigators have classified HO into three categories based on the risk factors associated with this condition: traumatic, neurogenic, and hereditary types (14). The traumatic type, or traumatic myositis ossificans, occurs after minor injuries, surgeries, or burns. This type usually develops in bones and joints in the vicinity of or surrounding the areas that are injured (14,15). The neurogenic type occurs as a result of neurological disorders, particularly in patients with severe spinal cord injuries (16). The hereditary type, or myositis ossificans progressiva, is the rarest variety attributable to a genetic condition, with an incidence of <1:1 million. The hereditary type of HO is associated with hereditary disorders such as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy; however, most patients succumb to restrictive lung disease or infection during their early life (13,17).

Although the etiology of HO is not fully understood, previous studies suggest that primitive mesenchymal cells get transformed into osteoblastic tissue leading to the process of lamellar bone formation in soft tissues (18). Surgical removal of the HO is recommended in those presenting with clinically apparent symptoms, and excision of the HO is aimed at maximizing the function of the affected joints (19). Prophylactic management against HO is needed to reduce further recurrence, although there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal pharmacological management or prophylactic modality that is effective against HO (4,19).

Based on the action of NSAIDs, which inhibit uncontrolled activated cytokines that recruit osteoprogenitor cells, NSAIDs are considered effective chemoprophylactic agents against HO (10,11). Previous studies show that NSAIDs such as indomethacin or ibuprofen decrease the incidence of HO (20). However, limited data are available to show a significant benefit associated with the use of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors for the prevention of HO (21,22).

In addition to NSAIDs, RT may serve as useful alternative therapy for the prophylaxis of HO because RT inhibits proliferation of osteoprogenitor cells (12). Pakos et al. (23) performed a meta-analysis comprising seven randomized studies that compared between RT and NSAIDs as prophylactic modalities against HO and demonstrated that RT tended to be more effective than NSAIDs in preventing grade 3 or 4 HO (Brooker classification). Furthermore, Pakos et al. proposed that a dose of 6 Gy was as effective as NSAIDs in the prophylaxis of HO and that increasing the RT dose to >6 Gy was more effective than NSAIDs in the management of HO (23). These results suggest that RT is an effective alternative prophylactic modality for HO in patients with comorbidities in whom the use of NSAIDs is contraindicated.

Previous studies have described that the dose fractionation for RT for HO prophylaxis is variable (12,23-27). In the 1980s, a conventionally fractionated dose of 20 Gy was delivered based on extrapolation of bony growth inhibition according to application of RT in pediatric patients (12). Considering the potential adverse effects of RT, an increasing trend toward a reduced dose of RT for the prophylaxis of HO is being observed. Calculation of biologically effective dose (BED) values of RT for HO was based on the generic late effects α/β ratio of 3 (28). Sylvester et al. observed that the effects of HO prophylaxis and the adverse effects of RT were not significantly different between patients who received 10 Gy delivered in 5 fractions (BED =16.67 Gy) and those who received 20 Gy delivered in 10 fractions (BED =33.3 Gy) (24). Moreover, a single-fraction regimen comprising the administration of 7–8 Gy (BED =23.33–29.33 Gy) has been reported for the prophylaxis of HO (25,26). However, a low single-fraction dose of 5.5 Gy (BED =15.58 Gy) is not recommended for the prophylaxis of HO because of the higher radiographic failure rate (63%) than that observed with the administration of a single-fraction dose of 7 Gy (BED =23.33 Gy) (10%) (27). Table 2 summarizes the relevant series of radiation dose to HO prophylaxis after hip surgery (24-27).

Table 2

Milestones studies and results of radiotherapy after hip surgery for heterotopic ossification (HO) prophylaxis

Reference Case number Dose and fraction (n = number of irradiated hips) Recurrence rate Interpretation
Sylvester et al., 1988 (24) 27 hips (26 patients) 20 Gy in 10 fractions (n=8); 10 Gy in 5 fractions (n=18); 12 Gy in 6 fractions (n=1) 25% (2/8) in 20 Gy group; 5% (1/18) in 10 Gy group (significant formation of heterotopic bone*) 10 Gy is effective compared to high dose of 20 Gy in conventional fractionation
Lo et al., 1988 (25) 24 hips (23 patients) 7 Gy in one fractions (n=24) 4% (1/24) Short-course radiotherapy results in good HO prophylaxis
Pellegrini et al., 1992 (26) 62 hips (55 patients) 8 Gy in 1 fractions (n=34); 10 Gy in 5 fractions (n=28) 21% (7/34); 21% (6/28) Single fractions with 8 Gy leads to comparative results of 10 Gy in conventional radiotherapy
Healy et al., 1995 (27) 107 hips (94 patients) 5.5 Gy in one fractions (n=19); 7 Gy in one fractions (n=88) 63% (12/19); 10% (9/88) Single fractions with 5.5 Gy was insufficient and results in high HO recurrence

*, defined as Brooker grade 3 or above heterotopic ossification recurrence.

Previous studies have also described the use of preoperative RT for HO prophylaxis (28-31). Milakovic et al. (28) reviewed 12 randomized trials that described the use of RT for the prophylaxis of HO and demonstrated no significant difference between the administration of post or preoperative RT in preventing the progression of HO. Additionally, the BED (α/β =3) of ≤ 25 Gy in the efficacies of HO prophylaxis was not significant when compared with a BED >25 Gy (P=0.28) (28). RT inhibits the transformation of primitive mesenchymal cells into mature osteoblastic tissue. Thus, RT ought to be administered as early as possible during the clinical course of the patient after undergoing the trauma or operation (32,33). Mourad et al. retrospectively analyzed 585 patients with displaced acetabular fractures who underwent an operation followed by RT using a single-fraction 7 Gy dose (BED =23.33 Gy) for the prevention of HO and observed that 106 patients (18%) developed HO within the irradiated field (34). The authors showed that the risk of the failure rate increased from 10% for RT delivered within 3 days to 92% for RT delivered >21 days after the initial injury (34). Roos et al. also found that the incidences of HO for BED 9–18 Gy group, BED 20–24 Gy group, and BED 29–38 Gy were 23.4%, 14.8% and 15.8%, respectively (35). In this report, our patient received immediate RT within 48 hours after excision of HO with a total dose of 10 Gy in 2 fractions (BED =26.67 Gy). The patient demonstrated clinical improvement in her range of motion at the left hip without any recurrence of HO at 2-year follow-up. Taken together, these findings indicate that the postoperative timing of RT (BED at least ≥20 Gy) delivery may play an important role in determining the efficacy of RT for the prophylaxis of HO.

Conclusions

In summary, our case report indicates that the administration of 10 Gy delivered in 2 fractions within 2 days postoperatively is an effective alternative prophylactic against HO. Although HO is a rare disease, our results and those of previous studies demonstrate that the administration of RT using 10 Gy delivered in 2 fractions or 7 Gy delivered as a single fraction within 3 days postoperatively is a safe and effective treatment option for the prophylaxis of HO, particularly in patients in whom the use of medications is contraindicated for prophylaxis.

Acknowledgments

Funding: This study was supported by the following research grants: 107-S3797 and 107-S3883 from National Taiwan University Hospital.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: SHK serves as an Associate Editor-in-Chief of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee(s) and with the Helsinki Declaration (as revised in 2013). Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this manuscript and any accompanying images.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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doi: 10.21037/tro.2018.07.02
Cite this article as: Huang MS, Chen YH, Kuo SH. Role of radiotherapy in heterotopic ossification: a case report and literature review. Ther Radiol Oncol 2018;2:41.

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