Tuberculosis of the temporomandibular joint

Extrapulmonary and extra-spinal tuberculosis (TB) is rare, even in countries where the disease is endemic. Ten percent of these localizations are cervico-facial. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is very unusual. We present the features of such a case.

We looked for patients managed for TMJ TB in 2 Maxillofacial Surgery departments and in 1 Pneumology & Phthisiology Department since 1992. The second part of the study was a literature review. One case was found in our departments and 15 other cases were found in published data. Most patients were women with mean age of 39.9 years (5 to 68). Pre-auricular swelling was the predominant functional sign, often without fever or change in the health status. The biological and radiological abnormalities were non-specific (osteolysis, joint pinching, etc.). No lung involvement was observed. The joint recovered its normal function after appropriate management.

Tuberculosis of the TMJ is difficult to diagnose given its rarity and the non-specific nature of clinical and paraclinical signs. It must be considered in the differential diagnosis for common diseases of the TMJ whether TB is endemic or not.