Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Inflammatory Changes in the Masseter Muscle

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography in diagnosing inflammatory changes of masseter muscle in patients having facial cellulitis or abscess clinically. Materials and methods: A total of 20 patients diagnosed clinically as having unilateral cellulitis or abscess of massetric region were selected and subjected to ultrasonography (Medison SA 9900 ultrasonographic machine) for evaluating thickness of masseter muscle on affected and the normal contralateral side of patient. Results: The mean thickness of masseter muscle on affected side was 1.5295, whereas on unaffected side was 1.1745, which clearly shows an increase in thickness of muscle on affected side. Conclusion: Trismus, resultant of soft tissue infections requires different treatment modalities according to the etiology. Thus, a potent diagnostic tool which can minimize the dilemma regarding the treatment selection is warranted. These findings highlight the significance of ultrasonography as important diagnostic tool to rule out the involvement of masseter muscle in inflammatory swelling of facial region.