Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and gross findings regarding masseter muscle aponeuroses in cadavers

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to compare the actual distribution and thickness of aponeuroses in cadavers with the distribution and thickness as determined by means of magnetic resonance imaging for the sake of evaluating magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic modality for assessing masseter muscle aponeuroses.

Study design: The aponeuroses of 26 masseter muscles from 13 intact cadavers were examined by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: The ratio of concordance between gross findings and magnetic resonance imaging findings was 99.0%, although depiction of thin parts of the aponeuroses on magnetic resonance imaging was poor.

Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging was useful as a diagnostic modality in the assessment of masseter muscle aponeuroses. Aponeuroses were distributed throughout almost the entire masseter muscle, although almost no aponeuroses were seen below the lower half of the anterior margin. This was thought to be a characteristic finding of masseter aponeuroses.