Recurrent parotid swelling secondary to masseter muscle hypertrophy: a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Three-Dimensional Photography for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin Injection for Masseter Hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

Masseter hypertrophy is a common condition that causes a undesirable square face, and often treated with botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA). Subjective assessments of BoNTA effectiveness vary from physician to patient, necessitating an objective approach for evaluation. This study introduces three-dimensional photography (3DP) for the first time in clinical assessment to evaluate BoNTA treatment for masseter hypertrophy.

METHODS

Ten patients received 36U of BoNTA at three injection points on each side masseter muscle. 3DP scanner using Artec Eva® was taken at the first, third, and sixth postoperative months for objective evaluation. Patient's self-perceived prominence, patients self-rated satisfaction, and physicians provided 5-grade scores were the subjective indicators.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in left masseter volume at the sixth month (P = 0.002, P = 0.004 at rest and clenching, respectively) was observed. Patient's self-perceived prominence decreased at the first (P = 0.021) and third (P = 0.039) months. Physicians' scores significantly decreased at all postoperative months. No significant changes were noted in the right masseter volume and patients self-rated satisfaction. Patient self-rated satisfaction did not consistently correlate with objective measures, except for left masseter with clenching at the sixth month.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional photography accurately quantifies facial changes post-BoNTA treatment. Despite objective improvements, patient satisfaction may not align consistently. Reliable assessment tools are crucial in cosmetic surgery to manage expectations and prevent disputes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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MR sialographic assessment of the masseter muscle and the ductal kinking in patients with recurrent parotitis

Dysfunction of the masseter muscle may cause pathological kinking of the parotid duct leading to parotitis; MR sialography is a non-invasive radiological examination that allows to evaluate dynamically the ductal system of the parotid glands. In the present study we aimed to assess the relationships between Stensen's duct and masseter muscle and their implications in the aetiopathogenesis of recurrent parotitis secondary to masseter muscle dysfunction. Forty-one patients with recurrent unilateral parotitis and nine with bilateral recurrent parotitis, all with a clinical suspicious of masseter muscle hypertrophy due to bruxism were enrolled. They underwent ultrasonography as a first line examination and then MR sialography and sialendoscopy. Different anatomical features were studied. Involved parotid glands had a wider duct compared to contralateral unaffected parotid glands of patients with recurrent parotitis (p = 0.00134); male subjects with parotitis had a longer duct compared to the salivary glands of healthy patients (p = 0.00943 for affected glands and p = 0.00629 for the contralateral). A concordance between the evidence of an acute duct angle during sialendoscopy and a wider duct in patients with parotitis was observed although not statistically significant. These initial findings suggest that the masticatory muscle dysfunction related to bruxism seems to condition alteration of parotid duct course and anatomy thus favouring the occurrence of recurrent parotitis. A specific diagnostic iter based on clinical evaluation, dynamic ultrasonography and MR sialography, is therefore, mandatory to confirm the relationship between masseter muscle anatomy and parotid duct anomalies; this is the premise for an adequate therapeutic approach to underlying masticatory muscle disorder.

The dental demolition derby: bruxism and its impact - part 1: background

Bruxism may lead to changes or damage to the oral and perioral tissues. Bruxism may occur during sleep or when awake. Many patients will not require active management; however, for some, intervention is required. Control of bruxism may be difficult, if not impossible, but the need exists for preservation of the dentition and quality of life. A prediction of risk to the tissues for the planning of interventions is difficult and relies upon evidence of past damage and assessment of future risks. Treatment options may need to be imaginative and rescuable. This series of papers will review the aetiology of bruxism, its impacts and treatment strategies for persistent bruxers who are at risk of, or suffering, tissue damage.

Acute parotiditis after cesarean section; case report

The enlargement of the parotid gland develops in inflammatory or stenotic conditions but after Cesarean section the symptomatology is unusual. A 38 year old patient with no obstetrical history referred to our clinic for pregnancy, which followed our national program of prenatal care. The outcome of the pregnancy was favorable for both mother and fetus. During labor the fetus developed bradycardia and the patient delivered by Cesarean section a 3400 g baby-boy with 8 Apgar Score; the anesthesia was spinal. 18 hours after delivery the patient presented mild respiratory distress. The symptomatology was caused by the enlargement of the parotid gland. The treatment was supportive and the remission occurred 10 hours after the onset. The initial discussion that raised this case was caused by the viral, infection and stenotic cause of the parotiditis. All these reasons had no medical argument. It was also debated about the anesthesia but, until now, the medical literature didn’t report any case of association between parotiditis and spinal anesthesia. It is also impossible to correlate the parotiditis with IVF procedure. As a conclusion, this case is unique because it represents the parotiditis without unknown case that appeared after Cesarean section and spinal anesthesia in a healthy woman.