title: Dehiscent temporomandibular joint.
abstract: The appearance of an acute effusion in a well-pneumatized temporal bone directs attention to the nasopharynx and skull base. Two patients are described in whom dehiscence of the temporomandibular joint allowed herniation of the contents of the joint posteromedically, where they obstructed the middle ear entrance of the eustachian tube, the protympanum. This is, to the authors' knowledge, a previously unreported cause of an acute middle ear and mastoid effusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Tabor
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Curtin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008416:Mastoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed