{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,29]],"date-time":"2026-07-29T15:24:47Z","timestamp":1785338687255,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,14]],"date-time":"2026-04-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776124800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Muscles"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Myositis ossificans (MO) is a benign, self-limiting heterotopic ossification process that typically develops within soft tissues following trauma, although non-traumatic forms have also been described. Despite its benign nature, MO frequently represents a diagnostic challenge, particularly in its early stages when imaging findings may mimic aggressive soft-tissue tumors, leading to unnecessary biopsies or surgical interventions. This narrative review provides an updated overview of the classification, pathophysiology, and imaging features of myositis ossificans, with a specific focus on the time-dependent evolution of radiologic appearances across different imaging modalities. Radiologic findings are discussed according to disease stage, highlighting key diagnostic clues such as the zonal phenomenon and peripheral maturation pattern. In addition, the main entities included in the differential diagnosis are reviewed, with particular emphasis on imaging features that help distinguish myositis ossificans from soft-tissue sarcomas and other calcified or ossified lesions. Finally, current management strategies and the role of imaging in patient follow-up are summarized. A thorough understanding of the evolving imaging spectrum of myositis ossificans is essential for radiologists and clinicians to achieve an accurate diagnosis, guide appropriate management, and avoid overtreatment.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/muscles5020027","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,14]],"date-time":"2026-04-14T15:47:02Z","timestamp":1776181622000},"page":"27","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Revisiting Myositis Ossificans: A Comprehensive Stage-by-Stage Imaging Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"5","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6035-8774","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Consolato","family":"Gull\u00ec","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Radiology Center, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-9247-4372","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giuseppe","family":"Ferrara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Radiology, Department of Radiological and Hematological Sciences, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Emanuele","family":"Ferravante","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Radiology, Department of Radiological and Hematological Sciences, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0934-8890","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roberto","family":"Calbi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Radiology, Ospedale Regionale Miulli, 70021 Bari, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mario","family":"Di Diego","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Radiology Center, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Davide","family":"Parisi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Radiology, Department of Radiological and Hematological Sciences, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-5099-2024","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Daniele","family":"Perla","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Radiology Center, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tommaso","family":"Villa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Radiology, Department of Radiological and Hematological Sciences, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luigi","family":"Natale","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Radiology Center, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, Italy"},{"name":"Section of Radiology, Department of Radiological and Hematological Sciences, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00136 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0030-1253161","article-title":"The imaging of myositis ossificans","volume":"14","author":"Tyler","year":"2010","journal-title":"Semin. Musculoskelet. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"612","DOI":"10.5435\/JAAOS-D-14-00269","article-title":"Myositis Ossificans","volume":"23","author":"Walczak","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Orthop. 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