A Case Report on Abnormal Jaw Movements Associated with Brain Injury

뇌손상으로 인한 하악운동의 변화

A 42-year old male patient was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital due to the chief complaint of limite mouth opening. Three years ago, the patient was diagnosed as an infarction of both cerefellar hemispheres, acute obstructive hydrocephalus and acute epidural hematoma of frontal lobe at the department of neurosurgery.Both of the infarcted cerevellar hemispheres and the epidural hematoma of frontal lobe were removed with suboccipital and frontal craniectomu. After the brain surgery jaw opening range was decreased progressively and ultimately mouth opening became almost impossible. Spasmodic and rhythmic contractions of the masseter muscles occurred intermittently during daytime as well as sleeping. Food intake was available only through Levin -tube. Actibe jaw opening exercise was prescribed with the aids of tongue blades. A moist hot pack and indomethacin phonophesis were also applied 20 minutes three times a day to decrease discomfort muscle activities. After a month of treatments, the opening range was increased to 5mm at the premolar area and oral food intake was possibel. The L-tube was removed and the patient was discharged.