Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

A case of a 74‐year‐old woman with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is presented. This disease rarely involves the TMJ and is not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of TMJ disorders. To our knowledge, only 23 cases have been reported in the literature and only four without any destructive changes of the condyle as in the present case.

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: A case report with bilateral involvement of the temporomandibular joints and concurrence of psoriatic arthritis

“…Mild cases can be managed with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, colchicine, or glucocorticoids . Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for CPDD tumor or tophaceous pseudogout cases . Usually, symptoms are relieved and function restored after surgical excision .…”

Pseudogout mimicking an infratemporal fossa tumor

“…CPPD shows a range of clinical presentations from an acute arthritis to chronic pain to degenerative cartilage disease 8. Further complicating the assessment of a calcified infratemporal mass is the possibility that the disease can be purely para‐articular with no or minimal joint destruction 9…”

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease of the Temporomandibular Joint

“…7,12 Disease involving the TMJ typically presents with pain, swelling, and hearing loss. 9,14,15 In some reports, tumoral calcinosis has been documented but this is generally in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals. 1,2,15 Management of tophaceous pseudogout is surgical.…”

“…9,14,15 In some reports, tumoral calcinosis has been documented but this is generally in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals. 1,2,15 Management of tophaceous pseudogout is surgical. While some cases have been managed conservatively, symptomatic relief in most published reports occurred only after resection of the lesion.…”

“…While some cases have been managed conservatively, symptomatic relief in most published reports occurred only after resection of the lesion. 14,15 Conclusion CPDD can be a rare cause of common symptoms and a high threshold of suspicion is necessary to arrive at the correct etiology. As CPDD often presents in many chronic medical illnesses, neurosurgeons may be the first to diagnose these medical problems by accurately diagnosing a skull base mass as CPDD.…”