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Published on: February 29, 2020
Temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal
Yong Ho Park1, Hak Jun Kim, Min-Hyun Park
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
The Laryngoscope
|October 13, 2010
Summary
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation into the external auditory canal (EAC) is rare, even with EAC wall defects. Surgical reconstruction via a preauricular approach is effective for TMJ herniation into the EAC.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Background:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation into the external auditory canal (EAC) is an uncommon condition.
- Anterior bony wall defects of the EAC are often associated with TMJ herniation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical and radiological findings of TMJ herniation into the EAC.
- To assess treatment outcomes for TMJ herniation into the EAC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 985 adult temporal bone CT scans.
- Evaluation of anterior EAC wall defects and TMJ herniation.
- Enrollment of 23 cases with anterior EAC wall defects.
Main Results:
- 23 patients (2.3%) had anterior EAC wall defects; 15 (1.5%) had patent foramen of Huschke.
- Six patients exhibited TMJ herniation into the EAC.
- Surgical reconstruction with titanium mesh (preauricular approach) or endaural removal with skin graft were used for treatment.
Conclusions:
- TMJ herniation into the EAC is rare and not always present with EAC wall defects.
- Surgical reconstruction via a preauricular approach is successful for TMJ herniation.
- Endaural approach is suitable for smaller lesions.
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