Assessment of thickness and echogenic pattern of masseter in subjects with OSMF, chewers and healthy controls-An ultrasound study

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a potentially malignant disorder is associated with prolonged chewing of arecanut which results in fibrosis of the lamina propria. A positive correlation has been observed between masseter thickness and clinical progression of OSMF in previous studies. The increased thickness of the masseter may in turn alter the echogenic pattern of the muscle. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the thickness and echogenecity of the masseter in subjects with OSMF and chewers, by ultrasonography and compare with controls.

Fifteen subjects with OSMF, fifteen subjects with history of chewing arecanut without OSMF and thirty controls were included in the study. The thickness and the internal echogenic pattern of the masseter were evaluated in all the subjects. The echogenic pattern was classified as Types I, II and III. The data obtained was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

The mean thickness of masseter was highest in the OSMF group followed by chewers and controls, although the difference was not statistically significant. Type II was the most common echogenic pattern observed in all the study groups, followed by Type I(the difference was not significant). None of the groups presented with Type III.

The masseter thickness may be used as an additional diagnostic criterion in OSMF subjects. Studies with larger sample and use of a high resolution ultrasound machine may give a better understanding of the echogenic pattern of masseter in subjects with OSMF. Ultrasonography was found to be a reliable and a reproducible method for evaluating the masseter.