Chondroma Arising from the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report

Abstract

Periarticular chondromas are common in the humerus and femur but rarely occur in the temporomandibular joint. We report a case of a chondroma in the anterior part of the ear. One year prior to his visit, a 53-year-old man became aware of swelling in the right cheek region which gradually increased in size. In the anterior part of the right ear, there was a palpable 25 mm tumor, elastic and hard, with poor mobility and without tenderness. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography CT showed a mass lesion with diffuse calcification or ossification in the upper pole of the parotid gland and areas of poor contrast within. A magnetic resonance imaging showed a low-signal mass lesion at the parotid gland with some high signals in both T1 and T2. Fine-needle aspiration cytology did not lead to diagnosis. Using a nerve monitoring system, the tumor was resected with normal tissue of the upper pole of the parotid gland in the same way as for a benign parotid tumor. Distinguishing between pleomorphic adenoma, including diffuse microcalcification of the parotid gland and cartilaginous tumors of the temporomandibular joint, may be sometimes difficult. In such cases, surgical resection may be a beneficial treatment option.

Post cryosurgical rehabilitation of ear chondroma. Case from practice

“…The clinical picture of the growth of chondroma in places of typical localization is poor and can only be diagnosed after it reaches a significant size. In the case of an atypical location of the focus, more or less specific clinical manifestations may appear, accompanied by aesthetic discomfort, forcing patients to consult a doctor [7]. When localized in the auricle, especially when the chondroma reaches a large size, the neoplasm covers the auditory canal, the permeability of the sound wave is disturbed, the functioning of the hearing aid deteriorates significantly, and conductive hearing loss develops [8].…”