Progressive Ossifying Fibrodysplasia: Case Report

Abstract

Progressive ossifying fibrodysplasia is a rare genetic disease that affects one individual in every two million births. Its main consequence is heterotopic ossification, i.e. formation of additional bone in abnormal locations. It is an autosomal dominant disease, usually caused by a new mutation in the ACVR1 receptor gene, which is in the signaling pathway for bone morphogenic protein. This abnormality is not related to gender, ethnicity or consanguinity. The present study reports the case of A.C., a 17-year-old girl. Her clinical investigation began at the age of four years, but she was only diagnosed with FOP at the age of 15 years, after being evaluated by several specialists in different centers. The patient has two siblings, but her family history did not reveal any similar cases.

Cellular and morphological aspects of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

“…The organism can spend months without creating new bone, as if the disease were dormant; nevertheless, without any previous warning, new bones start to emerge in unexpected places. 15 Many researchers have attempted to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that correlate traumatized soft tissues with ectopic bone formation. 16 In the present study we tried to establish a parallel between mechanisms of bone repair and the known physiopathology data of FOP.…”