Myositis ossificans following radical neck dissection.

Myositis ossificans traumatica is an uncommon disorder in which there is posttraumatic bone formation in muscle and other soft tissues near bone. The lesion is exceedingly rare in the head and neck. A case is presented in which myositis ossificans of the platysma occurred following radical neck dissection. Because recurrence may follow excision of the abnormal bone, removal is recommended only if there are significant symptoms associated with the lesion. If surgery is indicated, it should be delayed for 6 to 12 months following the initial trauma to allow for maturation of the lesion.