Post‐COVID‐19 Exacerbation of a Stable Fibrous Dysplasia: A Case Report

TL;DR

A man's previously stable bone condition worsened after a mild case of COVID-19, suggesting a possible link between the virus and disease reactivation.

Contribution

This case report suggests a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and reactivation of fibrous dysplasia.

Findings

A 32-year-old man's stable maxillary fibrous dysplasia reactivated after a mild COVID-19 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 may induce disease reactivation through inflammatory and tumorigenic pathways.

Further research is needed to explore the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and fibrous dysplasia.

Abstract

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare, benign fibro‐osseous lesion characterized by replacement of normal bone with extensive fibrous stroma due to abnormalities in osteoblast differentiation. After puberty and during adulthood, FD lesions usually become quiescent. However, some cases show signs of regrowth and reactivation. Here, we report a previously stable maxillary FD case in a 32‐year‐old man reactivated after a mild COVID‐19 infection. We hypothesize that SARS‐CoV‐2 may utilize diverse mechanisms to induce tumor/cancer in multiple organs, including initiating inflammatory cascades and modifying tumor‐suppressing pathways. The capacity of SARS‐CoV‐2 to enhance the expression of proinflammatory and tumorigenic molecules necessitates further research to ascertain any correlation between this viral infection and FD or other similar diseases.

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