Chip fractures of the mandibular condyle

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Dentistry

Background:

• Traumatic injuries to the temporomandibular (TM) joint can be challenging to diagnose.
• Routine X-rays may not reveal subtle fractures of the mandibular condyle head.

Observation:

• Four patients with TM joint trauma were evaluated.
• Initial X-rays failed to identify chip fractures in the mandibular condyle head.

Findings:

• Coronal computed tomography (CT) scans diagnosed condyle head fractures in three patients shortly after trauma.
• These three patients showed clinical improvement following physiotherapy.
• A fourth patient, diagnosed retrospectively, developed TM joint ankylosis 10 months after the injury, highlighting delayed diagnosis consequences.

Implications:

• CT imaging is crucial for diagnosing mandibular condyle chip fractures.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of TM joint trauma are essential to prevent complications like ankylosis.
• This study describes a previously unreported injury mechanism and clinical presentation.