title: A rare isolated unilateral myositis ossificans traumatica of the lateral pterygoid muscle: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myositis ossificans traumatica is a pathological condition characterized by the extraskeletal formation of bony tissue, induced by violent or repeated trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old Italian man, after surgical treatment for multiple facial fractures, presented with a progressive limitation of mouth opening. A computed tomography scan showed a significant calcification of the fibers of the left lateral pterygoid muscle. The working diagnosis was myositis ossificans traumatica of the left lateral pterygoid muscle. Surgical excision was suggested but not performed. Our patient underwent physiotherapy treatment resulting not in a complete restoration of mandibular movements but in an acceptable recovery of mouth opening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Myositis ossificans is a rare complication that can be caused by muscle trauma. Therefore, special attention should be paid to surgical trauma. In the present case, surgical excision was considered, in accordance with the literature, and suggested to our patient, but he declined due to the absence of any pain or any significant limitation to his daily life activities. He therefore underwent physiotherapy treatment, in line with our unit's guidelines, resulting not in a complete restoration of mandibular movements but in an acceptable recovery of mouth opening.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Spinzia
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Moscato
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Broccardo
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: Castelletti
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Maglitto
authors: Giovanni Dell'Aversana
authors: GD
authors: Orabona
authors: MaxilloFacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. piombino@unina.it.
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Piombino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009221:Myositis Ossificans / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014313:Trismus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*