Computed tomography of maxillofacial infection.

Eighteen patients with maxillofacial infections, who had trismus and swelling of the masseteric region, were investigated by CT. Spread of infection was evaluated with particular reference to the fascial spaces. The masticator space was divided into four parts and the changes in each were assessed together with the surrounding fascial spaces. There were changes in the masseter muscle and infection had spread into the upper parts of the masticator space in more than half of the patients. There was a fall in the CT value in the affected muscles, whereas it was raised in the parotid gland and adipose tissue. The clinical importance of CT is shown to have a significant role in the diagnosis and follow-up of maxillofacial infections.