Ultrasonographic evaluation of inflammatory changes in the masseter muscle.

The ultrasonographic images of 32 patients with inflammatory change in the masseteric region were investigated to clarify the characteristic findings and to evaluate the utility of ultrasonography. Inflamed masseter muscles frequently demonstrated reduction of echo intensity and complete or partial absence of hyperechoic bands. The mean thickness of the masseter muscle on the unaffected side was 8.6 mm, whereas that on the affected side was 12.9 mm. Nine of 10 patients with heterogeneous hypoechoic area, but only 1 of 10 patients with homogeneous hypoechoic area, had received surgical treatment before ultrasonographic examination.