Imaging of masseter muscle spasms by ultrasonography: a preliminary study

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of ultrasonography (USG) in locating spasm points in the masseter muscle. Methods Fifteen patients with TMJ dysfunction and five healthy controls were included in the study. First clinical examination of TMJ and palpation of masticatory muscles were done. Then, the masseter muscles were examined by USG. A total of 40 masseter muscles were examined within the study. Results Spasm points were observed as limited isoechogenic areas within normal heterogeneous muscle tissue. Within the 30 masseter muscles of patients with TMJ dysfunction, a total of 14 spasm points were detected clinically and 18 spasm points were detected ultrasonographically. No clinic or sonographic spasm point was detected in the masseter muscles of healthy controls. Conclusion USG demonstrated in detail the internal structure of the masseter muscle in all patients and provided precise localization of the spasm points on the muscle. This is a preliminary study, showing that changes in muscle internal structure can be visualized with USG.