ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF INFLAMMATORY CHANGES IN THE MASSETER MUSCLE

The ultrasongraphic 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 musc les frequently demonstrated reduction of echo intensity and complete o r partial absence of hyperechoic bands. The mean thickness of the mass eter muscle on the unaffeted side was 8.06 mm, whereas that on on the affected side was 12.9 mm. Nine of 10 patients with heterogeneous hypo echoic area, but only 1 of 10 patients with homogeneous hypoechoic are a, had received surgical treatment before ultrasonographic examination .