Tumors and tumorous masses presenting as temporomandibular joint syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Neoplasms of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) usually mimic common causes of TMJ syndrome, leading to delay in diagnosis. To increase awareness of TMJ neoplasms and establish guidelines for early intervention, we performed a retrospective analysis of a series of patients with neoplasms of the TMJ.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the records of patients with neoplasms of the TMJ from 1990 to 1997 was done.


RESULTS
Six patients were identified. The neoplasms included benign and malignant neoplasms. The time from initial presentation to final diagnosis was in most cases prolonged, ranging from 3 months to 8 years. Patients typically showed advanced lesions radiographically. All patients required surgical extirpation. Postoperative radiation therapy was used for malignant lesions. Patient outcomes were delineated.


CONCLUSIONS
Neoplasms, both benign and malignant, of the TMJ are rare but represent a challenging diagnostic problem. In patients with 1 month or more of recalcitrant TMJ swelling or pain, radiographic imaging may be considered to rule out these rare neoplasms. This may lead to earlier intervention and improved outcome.
Mostafapour
S P
SP
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Futran
N D
ND
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009463:Neuroma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve