Condylysis in a patient with a mixed collagen vascular disease

Condylysis has not previously been described as a complication of a mixed collagen vascular disease. A case is presented in which apertognathia and mandibular retrognathism occurred secondary to condylysis in a 26-year-old woman with features of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and Sjögren's syndrome. The disease was manifested by polyarthritis, morning stiffnes, subcutaneous nodules, and acrosclerosis. Important laboratory findings included RA slide latex negative, increased DNA binding, ANA positive, ENA negative, and an abnormal parotid scan. The malocclusion secondary to condylysis was corrected by surgical procedures usually employed for the treatment of mandibular retrognathism and apertognathia on a developmental basis.