Anterior Intercostal Heterotopic Ossification: A Rare Cadaveric Case Study with Multimodal Analysis

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a pathological condition characterized by ectopic bone formation in soft tissues. This study presents a rare case of anterior intercostal HO discovered in a 62-year-old Korean male cadaver during an educational dissection. The HO structure, which connected multiple ribs, underwent radiological examination (X-ray and CT scans) and histological analysis. Radiographic findings revealed that mature bone had formed adjacent to the ribs, surrounded by fibrous tissue. Histological analysis demonstrated a progression from fibrous tissue to mature bone, indicative of endochondral ossification, with no proliferative activity detected in the Ki-67 immunostaining. This case provides valuable insights into intercostal HO's morphological, radiological, and histological characteristics, providing significant information in anatomy and pathology for educational purposes.