Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy with extensive heterotopic ossification of the oral and maxillofacial region: how fetuin research may help a seemingly impossible condition

Albright"s hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by brachydactyly, gonadotropin resistance, hypothyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroid syndrome and heterotopic ossification. Heterotopic ossification rarely occurs in the maxillofacial region. In this article, we present such a case, describe the etiology, characteristics and treatment of AHO and suggest a potential role of an inhibitor of bone formation such as fetuin in preventing recurrence of aberrant ossification.