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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
TMJ arthritis is a frequent complication of otomastoiditis
Romain Luscan1, Kahina Belhous2, Francois Simon1
1APHP, Necker Enfants Malades, Service d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-faciale, 75015 Paris, France.
Introduction:
Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare condition known to result in significant morbidity if diagnosis is delayed. Acute otomastoiditis is a typical complication of acute otitis media but few cases of acute otomastoiditis complicated with TMJ arthritis have been reported in the international literature. Furthermore, otomastoiditis reports and studies rarely analyzed TMJ CT scans. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of TMJ arthritis in acute otomastoiditis, based on the analysis of CT scans.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a prospective study from 2014 to 2015, including all consecutive pediatric patients admitted to the Pediatric Otolaryngology department for acute otomastoiditis. A craniofacial injected CT scan was performed in all patients. The imagery was prospectively blind analyzed by two independent investigators screening for the criteria of TMJ arthritis. Finally, during the long-term follow-up we noted the number of patients presenting a clinical TMJ ankylosis.
Results:
We included 45 patients. The analysis showed 15 patients with TMJ effusion. Of those, 6 (13.33%) had an abscess and 2 clinical ankyloses.
Conclusion:
This study showed a high rate of TMJ arthritis complicating otomastoiditis. Our results demonstrate that systematic TMJ analysis in the CT scan of patients with otomastoiditis is essential.
Insights
Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a frequent complication of acute otomastoiditis. This study highlights the necessity of systematic TMJ CT scan analysis in patients diagnosed with acute otomastoiditis.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare but serious condition.
- Acute otomastoiditis, a complication of acute otitis media, can lead to TMJ arthritis.
- TMJ involvement in otomastoiditis is underreported, with limited analysis of CT scans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of TMJ arthritis in pediatric patients with acute otomastoiditis.
- To evaluate the utility of craniofacial CT scans in diagnosing TMJ arthritis associated with otomastoiditis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 45 pediatric patients with acute otomastoiditis from 2014-2015.
- Inclusion of craniofacial injected CT scans for all patients.
- Blind analysis of CT scans by two independent investigators for TMJ arthritis criteria and long-term follow-up for TMJ ankylosis.
Main Results:
- 15 out of 45 patients (33.33%) exhibited TMJ effusion.
- 6 patients (13.33%) developed an abscess.
- 2 patients presented with clinical TMJ ankylosis.
Conclusions:
- Acute otomastoiditis is frequently complicated by TMJ arthritis.
- Systematic TMJ analysis via CT scans is crucial for early diagnosis and management of otomastoiditis complications.
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