Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: clinical, diagnostic, and histomorphologic findings.
Objective. The primary diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint is extremely rare. Often many months, or even years pass before the diagnosis is confirmed. Study Design. Eight patients with synovial chondromatosis were treated by arthrotomy. In addition to the definitive diagnosis, histologic classification according to the stages proposed by Milgram was undertaken and confirmed with the literature. Results. The predominant symptoms of synovial chondromatosis, including pain, swelling, restricted movement of the mandible, and crepitation, were evaluated. Nevertheless, more than 80% of the patients were previously primarily treated on the basis of other tentative diagnoses. Conclusion. Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic swelling and pain in the preauricular region, and the patient should be sent for appropriate diagnostics and therapy at an early stage.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. vonlindern@mkgchirurg.de
Jens J
JJ
von Lindern
I
I
Theuerkauf
Bernd
B
Niederhagen
Stefaan
S
Bergé
Torsten
T
Appel
Rudolf H
RH
Reich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty; D015838:Chondromatosis, Synovial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery