title: Synovial plicae and temporomandibular joint disorders: surgical findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Synovial plicae and their relation to pain and disability have been reported in the orthopedic literature in association with the knee and other extremity joints. However, the occurrence of synovial plicae in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have rarely been reported. This report describes the surgical appearance, distribution, and histologic findings of synovial plicae in patients with TMJ recurrent dislocation and internal derangement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive patients, 16 with recurrent dislocation and 4 with internal derangement, who underwent open TMJ surgery by the same surgeon from 2010 to 2013 were studied retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Synovial plicae were detected in 18 of 28 joints (64.3%). Synovial plicae were observed in 15 of 24 joints (62.5%) with recurrent dislocation and in 3 of 4 joints (75%) with internal derangement. Histologic findings of these plicae were consistent with dense fibrous or cartilaginous tissues, with some exhibiting a synovial lining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the role of synovial plicae in TMJ disorders is unknown and unstudied, consideration should be given to investigating the possible relation of these structures to the signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders.
authors: Consultant Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ako City Hospital, Visiting Professor, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanagawa Dental University, Graduate School of Dentistry, Yokosuka, Japan. Electronic address: murakeny@yahoo.co.jp.
authors: KenIchiro
authors: K
authors: Murakami
authors: Chief, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyotango City Kumihama Hospital, Kyotango, Japan.
authors: Shinsuke
authors: S
authors: Hori
authors: Chief, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kusatsu General Hospital, Kusatsu, Japan.
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Visiting Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Clinical Consultant, TMJ Concepts, Ventura, CA.
authors: Louis G
authors: LG
authors: Mercuri
authors: Staff Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyoto City Hospital Kyoto, Japan. Formerly in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ako City Hospital, Ako, Japan.
authors: Naota
authors: N
authors: Harayama
authors: Staff Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyotango City Kumihama Hospital, Kyotango, Japan.
authors: Syouta
authors: S
authors: Maruo
authors: Professor and Head, Department of 3D Imaging Anatomy, Kanagawa Dental University, Ako, Japan.
authors: Tsuneo
authors: T
authors: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery