Intractable stomatitis complicated by pterygoid hamulus bursitis: A case report

Pterygoid hamulus bursitis is a clinical condition characterized by palatal and pharyngolaryngeal pain, attributed to morphological abnormalities of the pterygoid hamulus.Herein, we present a case of a female patient in her 40s who presented with intractable ulceration and pain in the soft palate associated with a pterygoid hamulus, in which surgical resection yielded favorable outcomes.The patient reported pain on the medial side of the right maxillary tuberosity.Clinical examination revealed an ulcerative lesion with tenderness and discomfort during swallowing in that area.A computed tomography scan showed bilaterally anatomically elongated pterygoid hamuli, particularly on the right side.Although topical steroid ointment temporarily healed the ulcer, the lesion recurred repeatedly, and discomfort persisted.Consequently, surgical resection of the pterygoid hamulus was planned.Under general anesthesia, the elongated hamulus was resected from its base using an ultrasonic bone-cutting device, leaving the tensor veli palatini muscle intact.The patient experienced marked symptomatic improvement approximately one week postoperatively, with no complications.One year postoperatively, no recurrence has been observed, and the clinical course remains favorable.