title: Temporomandibular Joint Septic Arthritis and Mandibular Osteomyelitis Arising From an Odontogenic Infection: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been infrequently reported in the literature. Some investigators believe that this condition is under-reported because it is underdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of this condition can lead to serious morbidity, including fistula formation, intracranial abscess, fibrous or bony ankylosis, temporal bone or condylar osteomyelitis, growth alteration, and several others. This report describes a case of septic TMJ arthritis arising from direct spread of an odontogenic infection with subsequent development of mandibular osteomyelitis. The purpose of this case report is to 1) increase awareness of an underdiagnosed condition, 2) establish the seriousness of this infection, 3) for the first time report on a case of TMJ septic arthritis caused by Bacteroides infection, and 4) provide a review of the relevant literature.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address: kevin.gams@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gams
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D004322:Drainage; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000382:microbiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology