Masseter muscle hypertrophy: Report of case and literature review

Benign masseteric hypertrophy is a relatively uncommon condition that can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. Pain may be a symptom, but most frequently the clinician is consulted for cosmetic reasons. In some cases prominent exostoses at the angle of the mandible are noted. Although it is tempting to point to malocclusion, bruxism, clenching, or temporomandibular joint disorders, the etiology in the majority of cases is unclear. Diagnosis is based on awareness of the condition, clinical and radiographic findings, and exclusion of more serious pathology such as benign and malignant parotid disease, rhabdomyoma, and lymphangioma. Treatment usually involves resection of a portion of the masseter muscle with or without the underlying bone. 1