Pseudogout mimicking an infratemporal fossa tumor.
BACKGROUND
The infratemporal fossa is a well-concealed, complex anatomical space. Neoplasms arising in this area are heterogenous in nature and have an insidious onset and usually present late.


RESULTS
We present a case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with worsening facial pain, trismus, and a large mass in her infratemporal fossa with minimal associated temporomandibular joint destruction. She underwent a surgical excision of the mass, which revealed a pseudogout deposit.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and radiological features of patients with tophaceous pseudogout frequently mimic those of a benign or malignant neoplasm of the infratemporal fossa, often resulting in more radical surgery.
Kalish
Larry H
LH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. lhkalish@mac.com
Ng
Thomas
T
Kalnins
Ian
I
Da Cruz
Melville J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology