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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Temporomandibular joint osteochondritis dissecans: case report
Kaan Orhan1, Ahmet Arslan, Doruk Kocyigit
1Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. call53@yahoo.com
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
|September 26, 2006
Summary
Osteochondritis dissecans, a rare condition affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), was diagnosed using advanced imaging. Non-surgical treatment significantly improved mouth opening and reduced pain.
Area of Science:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Osteochondral pathology
- Diagnostic imaging in dentistry
Background:
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) involves cartilage separation from articular surfaces.
- OCD commonly affects major joints like the knee and ankle.
- OCD of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A probable case of osteochondritis dissecans in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is presented.
- Clinical examination, panoramic radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were utilized.
- The study aims to describe this rare condition and its differential diagnosis.
Findings:
- Panoramic radiography revealed two fragments separated superior to the right mandibular condyle.
- 3D CT reconstructions precisely located these fragments.
- MRI showed low signal intensity on T1 and heterogeneous signal on T2 in the right condyle, indicating abnormality.
Implications:
- Nonsurgical management including splinting, occlusal adjustment, physiotherapy, and NSAIDs was effective.
- The patient experienced a significant increase in maximum mouth opening (24 mm to 39 mm).
- Pain associated with the condition subsided within six months of treatment initiation.
