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. 2023 Dec;53(4):355-363.
doi: 10.5624/isd.20230134. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the masseter muscle in patients with temporomandibular joint degeneration

Büşra Arıkan  1 , Numan Dedeoğlu  1 , Aydın Keskinrüzgar  2
Affiliations

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the masseter muscle in patients with temporomandibular joint degeneration

Büşra Arıkan et al. Imaging Sci Dent. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Sonographic elastography can be used to evaluate the hardness of muscle tissue through the application of compression. Strain elastography gauges hardness through the comparison of echo sets before and after compression. This study utilized ultrasonography to measure the thickness and hardness of the masseter muscle in individuals with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis.

Materials and methods: This study included 40 patients who presented with joint pain and were diagnosed with TMJ osteoarthritis via diagnostic cone-beam computed tomography, along with 40 healthy individuals. The thickness and hardness of each individual's masseter muscle were evaluated both at rest and at maximum bite using ultrasonography. The Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test were employed for statistical analysis, with the significance level set at P<0.05.

Results: The mean thickness of the resting masseter muscle was 0.91 cm in patients with osteoarthritis, versus 1.00 cm in healthy individuals. The mean thickness of the masseter muscle at maximum bite was 1.28 cm in osteoarthritis patients and 1.36 cm in healthy individuals. The mean masseter elasticity index ratio at maximum bite was 4.51 in patients with osteoarthritis and 3.16 in healthy controls. Significant differences were observed between patients with osteoarthritis and healthy controls in both the masseter muscle thickness and the masseter elasticity index ratio, at rest and at maximum bite (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The thickness of the masseter muscle in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis was less than that in healthy controls. Additionally, the hardness of the masseter muscle was greater in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Masseter Muscle; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Ultrasonography.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Classification of bone changes. a. Flattening. b. Erosion. c. Deformity, marginal proliferation, and osteophyte formation. d. Erosion, deformity, osteophyte formation, and marginal proliferation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. A. The thickness of the masseter muscle in the resting position. B. The thickness of the masseter muscle at the maximum bite position.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. A. A normal ultrasound image of the masseter muscle. B. An ultrasound elastography image of the same masseter muscle as shown in image A. The elasticity scale indicates the optimal degree of compression in the elastogram, which is entirely green (indicated by the white arrow).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. The masseter muscle elasticity index (EI) value was calculated as the ratio of the average EI of the masseter muscle in the resting position to the average EI of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (indicated by the small circle) of the masseter muscle (indicated by the large circle). A. A normal ultrasound image of the masseter muscle. B. An ultrasound elastography image of the same masseter muscle as shown in image A, depicted in the resting position.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. The masseter muscle elasticity index (EI) value was calculated as the ratio of the average EI of the masseter muscle in the bite position to the average EI of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (indicated by the small circle) of the masseter muscle (indicated by the large circle). A. A normal ultrasound image of the masseter muscle. B. An ultrasound elastography image of the same masseter muscle as shown in image A, depicted in the bite position.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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