Myositis ossificans traumatica of the medial pterygoid muscle following a third molar extraction

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a rare disease involving heterotopic ossification in the muscle or soft tissue. Myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT) disease presents as a calcification within the injured muscle, resulting from a single or repetitive injury. There are few reports of MOT in the masticatory muscles. The case of a patient with MOT in the medial pterygoid muscle caused by a complication related to the extraction of an erupted upper third molar is reported. The major symptom was severe trismus. Despite surgical treatment, the disease relapsed. MOT can lead to serious consequences for the patient. Its aetiopathogenesis needs to be better understood, so that the most appropriate treatment is established and relapses are minimized. This will improve the quality of life of these patients.