Osseous Metaplasia of the Cervix: A Rare Transformation Can Mimic a Tumor—Literature Review

Abstract

Background The transformation of nonosseous soft tissue into bone is known as osseous metaplasia (OM). This condition most commonly affects the musculoskeletal and central nervous systems and it is a well-known phenomenon in different soft tissue organs. Rarely, OM can affect the uterus, which can extend into the cervix. OM affecting the cervix alone is a more rare condition that has multiple different clinical presentations. The presentation can be similar to that of a tumor in extremely rare cases. Case Summary A 23-year-old nulligravida was complaining of irregular vaginal bleeding for one-month duration. Speculum examination revealed a foul-smelling bloody purulent discharge, tender cervix, and a brownish growth located at the posterior cervical lip. A punch biopsy of the growth was performed. Histological examination of the tissue revealed multiple bone fragments with necrosis and an inflammatory exudate. Because of the unusual findings, a repeat biopsy was performed. The biopsy yielded the same findings, which confirmed the diagnosis of osseous metaplasia of the cervix. Conclusion Although osseous metaplasia is a known phenomenon in different soft tissues, it is extremely rare in the uterine cervix and can mimic malignancy. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of it.

Osseous Metaplasia in a Rectal Inflammatory Polyp in an Adolescent Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Studies have shown that non-osteogenic mesenchymal cells, such as extramedullary fat and myoblasts, may undergo osteogenic differentiation in the presence of BMP-2 (Jacono et al, 2001). Others have postulated that repeated trauma could induce osseous metaplasia, which could be pertinent to our patient who endured recurrent rectal prolapse on defecation (Alsaqobi and Al-Brahim, 2018).…”

“…Osseous metaplasia in mucosal polyps, although rare, is a phenomenon that has been reported in the various organs such as nasopharynx, endocervix among others (Jacono et al, 2001; Alsaqobi and Al-Brahim, 2018). Osseous metaplasia in benign colorectal polyps is very rare, with only 21 previous cases (Amir et al, 2019).…”

A Rare Case of Osseous Metaplasia in Canine Leiomyoma and Plasticity of Smooth Muscle Cell

“…Second, another example of the plasticity of the smooth muscle cells is that osseous metaplasia is reported in normal endometrium and cervix even without any history or presence of neoplasms [22,23]. The cell fate of smooth muscle is not strictly confi ned to contractile phenotype, suggesting the potential of smooth muscle to transform other cell types such as osteoblasts which secrete osteoid and form osseous metaplasia.…”

Osseous Metaplasia in Ovarian Endometrial Cyst: A Case Report

“…Osseous metaplasia has been described in many tissues, most commonly in musculoskeletal and central nervous system, followed by soft tissue organs [1,2]. In the female genital tract osseous metaplasia is reported as a rare condition in cervix and vagina, and it is more often found in endometrium [2][3][4].…”

“…Osseous metaplasia has been described in many tissues, most commonly in musculoskeletal and central nervous system, followed by soft tissue organs [1,2]. In the female genital tract osseous metaplasia is reported as a rare condition in cervix and vagina, and it is more often found in endometrium [2][3][4]. In ovary it is a rare entity and is usually associated with cystic teratoma, mucinous cystadenoma [5], papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma [6], endometrioid adenocarcinoma [7] and thecoma [8].…”