title: A Missed Case of Occult Bilateral Temporomandibular Dislocation Mistaken for Dystonia.
abstract: A 24-year-old male with a history of psychiatric disorder and no prior significant temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology presented to the emergency department for "lockjaw." Plain film X-rays of the mandible were read as unremarkable by an attending radiologist, leading to the initial diagnosis of medication-induced dystonic reaction. Following unsuccessful medical treatment a maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) was ordered. CT confirmed bilateral dislocation, illustrating the importance of clinical judgment, and limitations of certain radiographic images. The authors believe this case to be the first reported case in the medical literature of bilateral anterior TMJ dislocation with a false negative X-ray.
authors.affiliation: LAC+USC Medical Center, 1200 North State Street 1060H, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: LAC+USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shoenberger
authors.affiliation: LAC+USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wagner