Benign masseter muscle hypertrophy.

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Idiopathic masseter muscle hypertrophy is a rare condition with unknown etiology.
• Potential contributing factors include habitual behaviors, temporomandibular joint disorders, and emotional stress.
• The condition often presents with cosmetic concerns like facial asymmetry ('square face') and may involve symptoms such as trismus and bruxism.

Observation:

• A case study detailing a patient with bilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy presenting with slow, progressive mandibular angle bulging.
• The patient reported associated symptoms including otalgia, nighttime trismus, and stress, despite no local inflammatory signs.
• Physical examination confirmed bilateral masseter hypertrophy without observable inflammatory alterations.

Findings:

• The investigation focused on reporting a specific case of idiopathic masseter hypertrophy, its clinical presentation, and management.
• Surgical treatment, specifically an extraoral approach, was indicated for the patient.
• Diagnostic uncertainty may necessitate complementary testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Implications:

• Treatment for masseter hypertrophy ranges from conservative measures to surgical interventions.
• The choice of surgical technique depends on the surgeon's expertise and experience.
• This case highlights the importance of considering surgical options for idiopathic masseter hypertrophy when conservative treatments are insufficient.