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Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: a case report
Sung-Won Yang1, Jin-Yong Cho1, Hyeon-Min Kim1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
Abstract:
Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare disease. The most common symptoms of this disease are acute malocclusion, limited mouth opening, swelling, and tenderness of affected TMJ. These symptoms are often confused with internal derangement of the articular disc, rheumatoid arthritis, retrodiscitis, or osteoarthritis. Therefore, differential diagnosis by image examination is required. Usually, antimicrobial treatment and surgical drainage by needle aspiration, arthroscopy, or arthrotomy are effective treatment approaches. In this study, a patient who was diagnosed with septic arthritis was treated with arthrocentesis and antibiotics without significant complications. We present a case report with a review of the literature.
Insights
Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare, presenting with symptoms like limited mouth opening. This case report highlights successful treatment with arthrocentesis and antibiotics, offering insights for managing this challenging condition.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon condition.
- Symptoms such as acute malocclusion, limited mouth opening, swelling, and tenderness can mimic other TMJ disorders.
- Accurate diagnosis often requires advanced imaging techniques.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of septic TMJ arthritis.
- The patient underwent arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive drainage procedure.
- Antibiotic therapy was administered concurrently.
Findings:
- The treatment approach involving arthrocentesis and antibiotics was effective.
- The patient experienced no significant complications following the intervention.
- This case aligns with established effective treatment modalities for septic TMJ arthritis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the efficacy of conservative management for septic TMJ arthritis.
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Further literature review supports arthrocentesis and antibiotics as a primary treatment strategy.
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