title: A novel method for intraoral access to the superior head of the human lateral pterygoid muscle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The uncoordinated activity of the superior and inferior parts of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) has been suggested to be one of the causes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement. A therapy for this muscle disorder is the injection of botulinum toxin (BTX), of the LPM. However, there is a potential risk of side effects with the injection guide methods currently available. In addition, they do not permit appropriate differentiation between the two bellies of the muscle. Herein, a novel method is presented to provide intraoral access to the superior head of the human LPM with maximal control and minimal hazards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computational tomography along with digital imaging software programs and rapid prototyping techniques were used to create a rapid prototyped guide to orient BTX injections in the superior LPM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The method proved to be feasible and reliable. Furthermore, when tested in one volunteer it allowed precise access to the upper head of LPM, without producing side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prototyped guide presented in this paper is a novel tool that provides intraoral access to the superior head of the LPM. Further studies will be necessary to test the efficacy and validate this method in a larger cohort of subjects.
authors: Orofacial Pain and Masticatory Dysfunction Clinic, Dental Clinic Department, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco K, 2° Andar, Sala 56, Ilha da Cidade Universitária, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Aleli Tôrres
authors: AT
authors: Oliveira
authors: Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI), Rodovia Dom Pedro I (SP - 65) Km 143,6, Bairro Amarais, 13069-901 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Anderson Aparecido
authors: AA
authors: Camilo
authors: Radiology Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha da Cidade Universitária, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Paulo Roberto Valle
authors: PR
authors: Bahia
authors: Radiology Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha da Cidade Universitária, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Antonio Carlos Pires
authors: AC
authors: Carvalho
authors: Cellular Morphogenesis Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, CCS, Bloco F, Ilha da Cidade Universitária, 21949-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Health Sciences Center, Grande Rio University, 1160 Bairro 25 de Agosto, Duque de Caxias, 25071-200 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Marcos Fabio
authors: MF
authors: DosSantos
authors: Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI), Rodovia Dom Pedro I (SP - 65) Km 143,6, Bairro Amarais, 13069-901 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Jorge Vicente Lopes
authors: JV
authors: da Silva
authors: Orofacial Pain and Masticatory Dysfunction Clinic, Dental Clinic Department, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco K, 2° Andar, Sala 56, Ilha da Cidade Universitária, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: André Antonio
authors: AA
authors: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009055:Mouth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed