Bilateral enlargement of the mandibular coronoid processes in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.
A case of rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint with enlargement of both coronoid processes has been presented. Limited excursions of the mandible were due mainly to the encroachment of the coronoid processes on the posterolateral surfaces of the maxilla. The condition was relieved by unilateral arthroplasty and bilateral coronoidectomies. The etiology of the enlarged coronoid processes is unknown. However, the condition does resemble that which occurs experimentally when condylectomy is performed and the ramus is shortened. In this case, shortening of the ramus could be attributed to condylar destruction by the arthritic condition.
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint