Malformations of the pterygoid hamulus may cause orofacial pain. While there have been some reports of a condition known as pterygoid hamulus bursitis overseas, such reports are extremely rare in Japan. Patients with this condition frequently have numerous symptoms and diagnosis is challenging. In addition, a consensus regarding treatment methods has not been reached. Here we describe a case of soft palatal pain improved by pterygoid hamulus excision. The patient was a 28-year-old man who was examined at our department for a chief complaint of right-sided soft palatal pain. We observed hard protrusions on both sides of the soft palate that resembled bone; the protrusion on the right side was particularly prominent. We also noted slight tenderness and odynophagia in the right-sided soft palatal region, as well as a sense of discomfort in the left-sided soft palatal region. Computed tomographic images revealed an excessively long pterygoid hamulus, bilaterally. We considered that the soft palatal symptoms were caused by malformation of the pterygoid hamulus, we therefore excised both pterygoid hamulus muscles under general anesthesia. Currently, 10 months after the procedure, both soft palatal protrusions have improved, the pain has disappeared, and we successfully achieved a favorable outcome.
