Benign asymmetric hypertrophy of the masticator muscles.Facial asymmetry is a common clinical problem that frequently requires imaging investigation. Such asymmetry is sometimes caused by a benign hypertrophy of the pterygo-masseteric muscle complex. This hypertrophy can be an incidental finding, as it was in the case presented here (figure). The etiology of benign unilateral or bilateral pterygo-masseteric muscle complex hypertrophy is unknown, but it is probably caused by bruxism Bruxism Definition Bruxism is the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth. It most often occurs at night during sleep, but it may also occur during the day. It is an unconscious behavior, perhaps performed to release anxiety, aggression, or anger. . [1] Unilateral enlargement of the masticator mas·ti·cate v. mas·ti·cat·ed, mas·ti·cat·ing, mas·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To chew (food). 2. To grind and knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp. v.intr. To chew food. muscles should be distinguished from an inflammatory process. It should also be differentiated from a benign or malignant neoplastic neoplastic /neo·plas·tic/ (ne?o-plas´tik) 1. pertaining to a neoplasm. 2. pertaining to neoplasia. neoplastic pertaining to neoplasia or a neoplasm. lesion, such as a hemangioma hemangioma Congenital benign tumour made of blood vessels in the skin. Capillary hemangioma (nevus flammeus, port-wine stain), an abnormal mass of capillaries on the head, neck, or face, is pink to dark bluish-red and even with the skin. Size and shape vary. , lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma rhabdomyosarcoma /rhab·do·myo·sar·co·ma/ (mi?o-sahr-ko´mah) a highly malignant tumor of striated muscle derived from primitive mesenchymal cells. , and malignant schwannoma. [1] From the Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans (Dr. Palacios and Dr. D'Antonio), and the Department of Radiology and Otolaryngology, University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago (Dr. Valvassori). Reference (1.) Set PA, Somers JM, Britton PD, Freer CE. Pictorial review: Benign and malignant enlargement of the pterygo-masseteric muscle complex. Clin Radiol 1993;48:57-60. |
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