Synovia hyperplasia and calcification in the human TMJ disk: a clinical, surgical, and histologic study

The aim of the study was to investigate the morphologic modifications occurring in the synovial tissue after severe derangement of the articular structures with dislocation or perforation of the disks. Light microscopic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical investigations were performed on 10 disks. Arthroscopic examinations had documented adhesions between the diskal surfaces and the glenoid eminence or the condylar head in all the selected cases. Histologic examination showed a remarkable hyperplasia of the synovial tissue with the formation of prominent protrusions. An evident increase of type B (fibroblast-like) cells and the presence of cells with the ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characteristics of myofibroblasts were observed. Foci of mineral precipitates and large deposits of calcified tissue were present in the synovial villi in three samples. Our observations suggest that functional failure and morphologic lesions of the synovia may be caused by arthropathy.