Endoscopic assistance in the removal of a foreign body in the condylar process

This case report describes the application of the endoscopic technique in the removal of a metallic foreign body in the condylar process in an 81-year-old man. The patient's history indicated 60 years of pain in the left preauricular region as well as complaints of localized headaches. Physical examination revealed multiple scars on the patient's left preauricular region. No limitation of mandibular movement and no joint clicking were detected. Maximal mouth opening was 45 mm. According to the patient, masticatory function was normal. Digital palpation of the temporomandibular joint did not produce pain. Radiographic diagnosis was performed, which showed a pointed metallic foreign body lodged in the left condylar process. The removal of the foreign body was performed under endoscopic visualization via an intraoral approach. A 30 degrees-angled 4-mm diameter endoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) with a xenon light source was used.