Bilateral septic arthritis of the temporo mandibular joint: case report

Septic arthritis of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare disease that has been reported infrequently. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one case of bilateral TMJ septic arthritis has been reported. The contamination may result from direct extension of adjacent infection (dental or ENT), from hematogenous spread of blood-borne organisms or from direct inoculation. The most common presenting are trismus and pain, although swelling, tenderness and erythema have also been described. In addition, patients may develop fever, regional lymphadenopathy and malocclusion. Through a successively bilateral case of TMJ arthritis, without obvious portal of entry of the bacteria, we will analyze characteristics and treatment of this disease.