J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2013 Jun;39(3):134-138. 10.5125/jkaoms.2013.39.3.134.

Pterygoid hamulus bursitis as a cause of craniofacial pain: a case report

• Cho JY
• Cheon KY
• Shin DW
• Chun WB
• Lee H

• KMID: 1430481
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2013.39.3.134

Abstract

Pain on the soft palate and pharynx can originate in several associated structures. Therefore, diagnosis of patients who complain of discomfort in these areas may be difficult and complicated. Pterygoid hamulus bursitis is a rare disease showing various symptoms in the palatal and pharyngeal regions. As such, it can be one of the reported causes of pain in these areas. Treatment of hamular bursitis is either conservative or surgical. If the etiologic factor of bursitis is osteophytic formation on the hamulus or hypertrophy of the bursa, resection of the hamulus is usually the preferred surgical treatment. We report on a case of bursitis that was managed successfully by surgical treatment and a review of the literature.

Keyword

Bursitis; Facial pain; Palatal muscles; Palate; Pharynx

MeSH Terms

Bursitis
Facial Pain
Humans
Hypertrophy
Palatal Muscles
Palate
Palate, Soft
Pharynx
Rare Diseases

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Preoperative intraoral photograph. Arrow indicates area of tenderness on palpation.

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  Fig. 2 Preoperative panoramic radiograph.

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  Fig. 3 Computed tomography scans showing medially protruded pterygoid hamulus (arrow). A. Axial view. B. Coronal view.

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  Fig. 4 A. Intraoperative photograph showing the pterygoid hamulus. B. Intraoperative photograph showing the tendon of levator veli palaini muscle after hamulotomy.

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  Fig. 5 The resected pterygoid hamulus measured 7 mm in length and was sickle shape.

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  Fig. 6 Postoperative computed tomography scans showing removed left petrygoid hamulus (arrow). A. Axial view. B. Coronal view.

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