When presented with a possible case of masticatory myositis, it is important to remember there are two potential presentation types: acute and chronic forms.
Clinical signs associated with the acute form include:
- Fever
- Regional lymphadenopathy
- Muscles of mastication swelling which are painful on palpation
- Exophthalmos
- Resists or unable to open the mouth
Clinical signs associated with the chronic form include:
- Atrophy of the masticatory muscles
- Muscle swelling/atrophy can be asymmetric
- Enophthalmos
- Inability to open mouth fully