Myositis Ossificans Traumatica of the Temporal Muscle: a Case Report and Literature Review Emphasizing Radiographic Features on Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objectives: Heterotopic bone formation within a muscle is designated as ‘myositis ossificans’, and it is associated with multiple aetiologies, such as trauma, genetic predisposition, post-infection, or undetermined causes. When the disease develops as a result of a trauma, the myositis ossificans is classified as ‘myositis ossificans traumatica’. In this case report, a case of myositis ossificans traumatica is described, emphasizing its imaging features. Additionally, a literature review of the imaging features of myositis ossificans is discussed.

Material and Methods: A 60-year old male patient presented with restricted mouth opening and pain during mastication. Multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations were conducted. Case reports in the literature of myositis ossificans were searched databases from August 1984 until April 2019 using the keyword ‘masticatory muscles’ combined with ‘myositis’; ‘inflammatory myositis’; infectious myositis’; ‘inflammatory muscle diseases’; ‘focal myositis’ and ‘proliferative myositis’. Data was summarised and evaluated according to a critical appraisal checklist for case reports.

Results: Multislice computed tomography demonstrated an ectopic hyperdense area arising from the coronoid bone and within the temporal muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the same area with a hypointense signal. In the literature review, 53 myositis ossificans cases were identified, and 12 cases affecting the temporal muscle were found.

Conclusions: The main imaging feature of myositis ossificans is the presence of a radiopaque, hyperdense or hypointense mass in the affected muscle, which is seen on multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The final diagnosis is through histopathological examination, although imaging can suggest the most likely diagnosis.

J Oral Maxillofac Res 2019;10(4):e5

doi: 10.5037/jomr.2019.10405

Accepted for publication: 28 December 2019

Keywords: diagnostic imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; myositis ossificans; oral pathology; temporal muscle; tomography.