[Spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal].
OBJECTIVE
We report a rare case of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal.


METHODS
A 42-year-old woman consulted for recurrent right otalgia.


RESULTS
The clinical examination revealed a white mass of the anterior wall of the bony external auditory canal, very close to the tympanic annulus, which was replaced by an invagination of the skin of the canal when the patient opened her mouth, consistent with temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory, malignant, and traumatic lesions are known as potential causes of temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal. Spontaneous herniations are much rare, and to the best of our knowledge this is the 15th case reported in the literature. This anomaly results from a patent foramen of Huschke. Main symptoms consist in otalgia and tinnitus. In half of the cases, they are minor and no treatment is necessary.
Psillas
G
G
Service d'otorhinolaryngologie et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, hôpital universitaire de Thessalonique, 1, rue Stilponos-Kyriakidi, 54006 Thessalonique, Greece. psillasgeo@the.forthnet.gr
Guyot
J-P
JP
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004433:Earache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*