[1] It is also occasionally reported that the needle breaks off and is retained in the pterygomandibular space during this injection.

[4] Another possible complication of an inferior alveolar nerve block occurs when the needle is placed too deep, passing through the pterygomandibular space and into the parotid gland behind.

[5] A mandibular fracture in the angle region may also be the cause of a pterygomandibular space infection.

[1] The signs and symptoms of an isolated pterygomandiublar infection may include trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), however there is not usually any externally visible facial swelling.

[1] Intra-orally, there may be swelling and erythema (redness) of the anterior tonsillar pillar (the Palatoglossal arch) and deviation of the uvula to the unaffected side.