Idiopathic hypoplasia of the masseter muscle: A case report.
OBJECTIVE
Hypoplasia of the masseter muscle is a rare condition, described as partial or total, associated with congenital malformations or pathologies. Rare cases are those with no genetic alterations in their familiar picture. The authors present a case of an idiopathic masseter muscle hypoplasia in the absence of other pathologies.


METHODS
The case report involved a patient who presented to the consultant clinic complaining of facial asymmetry. The patient underwent several exams to confirm the diagnosis of masseter muscle hypoplasia, which included an X-ray, magnetic resonance of the temporomandibular articulation, and electromyography.


METHODS
The patient was treated with a customized functional appliance and fixed orthodontic treatment with satisfactory functional and esthetic results.


CONCLUSIONS
The case presented highlights the possibility of finding a hypoplasia of the masseter muscle even in the absence of other pathologies and without specific clinical symptoms, and how to plan an appropriate treatment with functional appliance and fixed orthodontic therapy.
a Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
Gianguido
G
Cossellu
a Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
Marco
M
Farronato
a Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
Roberto
R
Biagi
a Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
Fausto
F
Assandri
a Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences , University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
Giampietro
G
Farronato
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology
Agenesis of the masseter muscle; Electromyography; Functional appliance; Hypoplasia of the masseter muscle; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Masseter; Masseter muscle