Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of asymmetrical bilateral masseteric hypertrophy

Asymmetrical bilateral masseteric hypertrophy or unilateral masseteric hype rtrophy may present a diagnostic dilemma.(1) While the history and clinical examination are important in differentiating this benign condition from pa rotid and dental pathology,(2) they cannot necessarily exclude rarer malign ant lesions of or within the muscle itself.(3) We present. a case where MRI provided clear and elegant confirmation of our provisional clinical diagno sis by illustrating both the soft tissue features and the logical correspon ding bony features of this condition. thus obviating the need for further i nvasive investigations.