Sonoelastographic Evaluation of the Masseter Muscle before and after Mandibular Setback Surgery

Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare the thickness and elasticity of the masseter muscle before and after  orthognathic surgery in patients with class III skeletal deformity and to investigate the relationship between the sonographic changes in the masseter muscle and the amount of mandibular setback. Subjects and Methods: The study group consisted of 14 patients with skeletal class III malocclusions who had orthognathic surgery. The control group consisted of 14 patients who had dental and skeletal class I occlusion. Muscle thickness measurements were performed with B-mode and high-frequency linear scanning probe of the ultrasound device. Elastography feature and muscle hardness ratio were obtained by applying compression and decompression on muscles at rest and during maximum contraction in the transverse plane. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the mandibular setback as <5 mm and ≥5 mm. Results: The masseter muscle thickness after surgery was found statistically increased bilaterally in both at rest and during contraction for the study group (P < 0.05). No difference was found between preoperative orthognathic measurements and postoperative measurements for elasticity index ratio measurements      (P > 0.05).  Conclusion: We believe that in the present study important findings have been emphasized for further research aiming to investigate the possible relationship between masticatory alterations and surgical outcomes after orthognathic surgery

Sonoelastographic evaluation of the masseter muscle before and after mandibular setback surgery

Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare the thickness and elasticity of the masseter muscle before and after orthognathic surgery in patients with class III skeletal deformity and to investigate the relationship between the sonographic changes in the masseter muscle and the amount of mandibular setback. Subjects and Methods: The study group consisted of 14 patients with skeletal class III malocclusions who had orthognathic surgery. The control group consisted of 14 patients who had dental and skeletal class I occlusion. Muscle thickness measurements were performed with B-mode and high-frequency linear scanning probe of the ultrasound device. Elastography feature and muscle hardness ratio were obtained by applying compression and decompression on muscles at rest and during maximum contraction in the transverse plane. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the mandibular setback as = 5 mm. Results: The masseter muscle thickness after surgery was found statistically increased bilaterally in both at rest and during contraction for the study group (P 0.05). Conclusion: We believe that in the present study important findings have been emphasized for further research aiming to investigate the possible relationship between masticatory alterations and surgical outcomes after orthognathic surgery

Bilateral anterior Stafne bone defect mimicking radicular cyst: report of a rare case with a review of the literature

Stafne bone defects (SBDs) are asymptomatic radiolucent lingual/buccal bone lesions of the lower jaw that are frequently caused by soft tissue inclusion. SBDs located on the lingual anterior mandibular body (ASBDs) are rare variants. Sublingual salivary glands are thought to be responsible for ASBDs. However, other structures, such as lymphoid or vascular tissues, might be associated with ASBDs. ASBDs may be confused with other odontogenic or non-odontogenic pathologies because of their location and lower occurrence rate. To date, only one case involving the bilateral anterior mandibular area has been reported in the literature, including both the clinical case and archaeological specimens. The primary aim of our study was to describe a new case of bilateral ASBD in the anterior mandible that was mimicking a radicular cyst. The bilateral ASBD was diagnosed with the help of a three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography scan, and it presented radiographically as a periapical pathologic defect. An additional aim was to review previously reported cases related to ASBDs