Temporomandibular joint ankylosis. A possible complication in juvenile psoriatic rheumatism

The authors present a rare case of bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis secondary to polyarticular juvenile psoriatic arthritis in a 24 year-old man. The patient first presented with arthritis of his right elbow joint at the age of 9, followed by involvement of the distal inter-phalangeal joints of his right foot and both sacroiliac joints. Serum rheumatoid factor was not detected. At the age of 16 he developed psoriatic lesions affecting his nails and skin. By the age of 20, clinical and radiological evidence of arthritis was detected in his temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Subsequently, the patient developed bilateral TMJ ankylosis over a period of 4 years. The patient was managed by bilateral resection of the ankylosis bone blocks, mobilization of the mandible and interposition of Dacron material between the two neo-articular surfaces. 10 months postoperatively the patient maintained an inter-incisal distance of 3 cm. Postoperative mechano-therapy was hindered by the limited use of the patients' hands.