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Tinnitus of TMJ origin: a preliminary report
1American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Cranio : the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Tinnitus without an ear issue may signal a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This study found 19 of 20 patients with unexplained tinnitus had clinical, electromyographic, or radiographic signs of TMD.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Dentistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Tinnitus is a common complaint with diverse etiologies.
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are often overlooked in tinnitus patients without apparent ear pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients presenting with tinnitus and no clear otologic cause.
- To assess the utility of clinical, electromyographic, and radiographic evaluations in identifying TMD in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 20 patients with tinnitus and negative otologic findings underwent comprehensive temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examinations.
- Evaluations included patient history, clinical TMJ assessment (palpation, stethoscopy), computerized mandibular scans, electromyography (EMG) of facial muscles, and transcranial lateral oblique X-rays.
Main Results:
- Nineteen out of 20 patients (95%) exhibited one or more clinical, EMG, or radiographic indicators of a temporomandibular disorder.
- This suggests a high comorbidity between unexplained tinnitus and underlying TMD.
Conclusions:
- Patients experiencing tinnitus without an identifiable otologic origin should undergo thorough evaluation of the temporomandibular apparatus.
- Temporomandibular disorders may be a significant, yet often unrecognized, primary cause of tinnitus.