title: Synovial chondromatosis originally arising in the lower compartment of temporomandibular joint: a case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More than 200 cases of synovial chondromatosis (SC) in the TMJ were reported. Most of SC described exclusively involved the upper compartment of the joint. SC originally arising in the lower compartment is rarely found.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents a 50-year-old man with a slow growing, pain, preauricular swelling in left side and the limitation of mouth-opening. Panoramic radiograph, CT scans and MR images were taken. An arthroscopic examination and a surgical intervention were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Panoramic radiograph and CT scans didn't reveal the calcifying lesions in left TMJ region. Sagittal MR images and the arthroscopic examination demonstrated distinct nodules within an extremely expanded lower joint compartment and a normal position of the articular disc. All loose bodies and grossly abnormal synovium were removed. The diagnosis of SC was confirmed by histologic examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI and arthroscopy may be helpful diagnostically. Removal of all involved synovium, and loose cartilaginous bodies may be required for adequate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, No. 639 Zhi-zao-ju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China.
authors.forename: Min-jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-hu
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ya-ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology; D001182:Arthroscopy; D015838:Chondromatosis, Synovial / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed