HETEROTOPIC OSSIFICATION OF THE HANDS IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

The frequency of heterotopic ossification in neurological conditions a verages 20-25 % with variations according to the type of neurological disease and presence or absence of coma. The most common sites are the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Involvement of the hands is an ex ceedingly rare event of which two instances are reported herein. In bo th patients evidence of inflammation developed four months after a dee p, prolonged coma. Swanneck deformity of the fingers occurred in one c ase. Juxtaarticular ossifications were seen on roentgenograms two mont hs after the onset of symptoms. Both patients had heterotopic ossifica tions around the shoulders. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum a lkaline levels were elevated. Local injections effectively relieved pa in in one patient.