Evaluation of masseter muscle hypertrophy in oral submucous fibrosis patients -an ultrasonographic study.

BACKGROUND Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic insidious disease of the oral mucosa, commonly seen in South East Asia. It occurs mainly due to the habit of quid or gutkha chewing. There is a clear dose dependent relationship between gutkha chewing and development of OSMF, also due to continuous chewing for larger intervals of time unnecessary forces are exerted on the muscles mainly the masseter muscle. So, the present study was done to evaluate the thickness of masseter muscle in OSMF patients and to compare it with normal patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study involved 50 subjects, 25 OSMF patients and 25 normal individuals. The thickness of masseter muscle was evaluated by ultrasonography (5-11mHz). RESULTS There is a positive association between masseter muscle hypertrophy and OSMF (p-value 0.001). Thickness of masseter muscle was found to be more in OSMF patients as compared to control group and also thickness is more during contraction as compared to relaxation in both OSMF patients and normal individuals.