Gout of the temporomandibular joint: a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Gout is a common metabolic disorder that leads to elevated serum uric acid levels and deposition of urate crystals in tissues, leading to conditions such as arthritis and neuropathy.


METHODS
Although the prevalence of gout has been increasing during the past two decades, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement is rare, with only 10 reports in the English-language literature. The authors present a rare case of gout involving the TMJ in a 51-year-old woman. They also review reported cases of gout involving the TMJ, including the clinical, radiographic and microscopic diagnostic criteria. The patient was treated primarily with anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine but refused to undergo surgery. To date, she continues to be free of symptoms despite the presence of gouty deposits.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of its rarity, a clinician may overlook gout involving the TMJ in the differential diagnosis of facial pain even when the patient has received a diagnosis of gout in other joints.
Bhattacharyya
Indraneel
I
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, 1600 Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. ibhattacharyya@dental.ufl.edu
Chehal
Hardeep
H
Gremillion
Henry
H
Nair
Madhu
M
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015210:Arthritis, Gouty / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001706:Biopsy; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D003078:Colchicine