Proliferative myositis of the masseter muscle. A case report and a review of the literature.

A case of proliferative myositis of the masseter muscle in a 62-year-old woman is presented and pertinent literature is reviewed. This benign pseudosarcomatous proliferative lesion has not been previously reported in any of the muscles of mastication. Clinically the patient presented with pain and difficulty in opening of the mouth. On initial examination, a malignant salivary gland tumor was suspected. The proliferative myositis exhibits a disturbing microscopic appearance characterized by the presence of numerous hyperchromatic fibroblasts and oval or spindle-shaped giant cells which resemble malignant rhabdomyoblasts. These lesions have been often misdiagnosed as rhabdomyosarcoma and other types of sarcomas. Awareness of the microscopic characteristics of proliferative myositis and the possibility of its occurrence in the perioral soft tissues is important in avoiding misdiagnosis of this benign condition.