Traumatic Myositis Ossificans of Temporalis Muscle: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Case Reports

Traumatic myositis ossificans is rare pathology affecting muscles/soft tissue. Its involvement in temporalis muscle is rarely reported in literature. The aetiopathogenesis is unknown, the diagnosis is based on clinco-radiological findings. Surgical management and follow-up are paramount.

A database search was done using Science Direct and PubMed search engines along with other published and unpublished literature. The final publications were tabulated using a custom made Performa. The available publications were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. The data were recorded on excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Inc), and review was made using Review Manager (Rev Man) software for meta-analysis.

A total of 21 articles were considered for systemic review and meta-analysis. Forest plotting for demographics included the gender predilection/age of involvement. The data segregation was done with "temporalis involved" group and "other than temporalis involved" group. The study was free of homogeneity ( τ 2 = 0.26 I 2 = 5%) for gender and age. The overall analysis revealed that Temporalis muscle although rare to be affected shows greater propensity for involvement. This is supported by a lesser degree of heterogeneity ( τ 2 = 0.000) with a I 2 value of (The test showed a higher degree of significance for overall effect of muscle involvement (Z = 2.33, p = 0.02) (< 25%). The test showed a higher degree of significance for overall effect of muscle involvement (Z = 2.33, p = 0.02) (< α = 0.05).Case reports.Two male cases with similar age predilection, reported after sustaining trauma. Both the cases presented with limited mouth opening and ultrasound was done for the first time to arrive at clinic-radiological diagnosis. The management was conservative with temporalis myotomy and coronidectomy.

Traumatic myositis ossificans presents as a rare disorder that poses a dilemma to the treating surgeon. The present article makes an attempt to critically analyse the pathology that is scantly reported in the literature.