Ultrasonographic masseter and temporalis thickness in tension-type headache.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate masseter and temporalis muscle thickness in patients with tension-type headache (TTH) using ultrasonography and to examine the associations between masticatory muscle morphology, headache severity, and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) severity.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 54 patients with primary TTH and 40 age-matched healthy controls underwent clinical assessment, including headache and jaw pain severity (VAS-H, VAS-J) and TMD evaluation using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI). Ultrasonographic measurements of masseter and temporalis muscle thickness were obtained at rest and during maximal contraction.

RESULTS

Patients with primary TTH exhibited significantly higher VAS-H, VAS-J, and FAI scores than controls (all p < 0.001). Masseter and temporalis muscle thicknesses were greater in the patient group at rest and contraction (p < 0.05). FAI scores showed significant positive correlations with masseter and temporalis thickness measurements (r = 0.247-0.378, p ≤ 0.016). Among all ultrasonographic parameters, VAS-H was significantly associated only with MMT-C (r = 0.206, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Patients with primary TTH exhibited greater masseter and temporalis muscle thickness compared with healthy controls. The relationship between headache intensity and MMT-C suggests a possible association between masticatory muscle involvement and headache severity.