Non-traumatic myositis ossificans circumscripta: A diagnosis trap

Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is a benign condition of non-neoplastic heterotopic bone formation in the muscle or soft tissue. Trauma plays a role in the development of MOC, thus, non-traumatic MOC is very rare. Although MOC may occur anywhere in the body, the lesions are localized predominantly in the high-risk sites of injury, such as the thigh, buttock, and elbow. MOC can easily be mistaken for osteomyelitis or a malignant tumor, specifically osteosarcoma or soft-tissue sarcoma. We report a rare case of non-traumatic myositis ossificans circumscripta of thigh which appear clinically and radiologically as a malignant neoplasm. Despite its rarity, MOC should be contemplated in the differential diagnosis of malignant tumors.