title: Diagnostic approach to intramasseteric nodules.
abstract: Intramuscular nodules can be the clinical presentation of several groups of lesions, such as reactive disorders and benign and malignant tumors. Here, we present three cases with similar clinical features and image aspects on Doppler ultrasonography. Two of the lesions were diagnosed as intramasseteric hemangioma and the third as intramasseteric metastasis from high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the thigh. The diagnosis of intramasseteric nodules is challenging, and various differential diagnoses must be considered. Clinical features, evolution time, and information from complementary examinations, such as Doppler ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology, are useful in making a precise diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Oral Diagnosis Department, Semiology and Oral Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Oral Pathology and Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Wilfredo Alejandro
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: González-Arriagada
authors.affiliation: Oral Diagnosis Department, Semiology and Oral Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alan Roger
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Santos-Silva
authors.affiliation: Oral Diagnosis Department, Semiology and Oral Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pablo Agustin
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: Oral Diagnosis Department, Semiology and Oral Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: malopes@fop.unicamp.br.
authors.forename: Marcio Ajudarte
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery