Chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint: an external ear canal pseudotumor

An unusual case of calcium pyrophosphate arthropathy (pseudogout) involving the temporomandibular joint of a 53-year-old woman presented clinically as an ear canal tumor. Further evaluation and surgical exploration disclosed chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint with involvement of the bones at the left base of the skull. This case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing the lesion by frozen-section examination because excellent results can be obtained by intraoperative curettage of the calcareous deposits and local irrigation with saline solution.