Head and Neck Imaging

Masseteric hypertrophy

uni- or bilateral hypertrophy of the masseter muscle, often caused by bruxism (grinding of teeth, usually during sleep). This muscle hypertrophy may clinically simulate the appearance of a (parotid) mass lesion. Cross-sectional imaging shows the muscle hypertrophy and excludes the presence of another mass (Fig.1). The other masticatory muscles may also be hypertrophied.

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Fig.1

Axial T1-weighted spin-echo image. The left masseter muscle is broader compared to the opposite one (arrowheads).
Masseteric hypertrophy, Fig.1