Osseous metaplasia in a nasal polyp: Report of a rare case and review of the literature

September 7, 2012 by Hasan Mercan, MD; Deniz Tuna Edizer, MD; Erkan Kilic, MD; Tugce Esen, MD; Rana Ramazanoglu, MD; Harun Cansiz, MD
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Abstract

Metaplasia is the conversion of one adult tissue or cell type into another tissue or cell type. Although osseous metaplasia has been described in many parts of the body, it is rarely encountered in the head and neck region, especially in nasal polyps. This article reports a case of unilateral sinonasal polyp containing areas of osseous metaplasia in a 44-year-old woman presenting with nasal obstruction. Also included are a brief discussion of osseous metaplasia in the head and neck region and a literature review.

IntroductionMetaplasia is the replacement of one adult tissue or cell type by another tissue or cell type. It is presumed to originate via genetic “reprogramming” of epithelial stem cells or undifferentiated mesenchymal cells.1 Ectopic bone formation in the head and neck region is uncommon. It has mostly been reported to occur in the vicinity of neoplastic masses of the head and neck, especially in lipomas.

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CitationEar Nose Throat J. 2012 September;91(9):E4-E6