Intraosseous Ganglion of the Temporomandibular Joint Presenting With Otorrhea

Abstract

A ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint is a rare entity that commonly presents as a minimally tender, preauricular mass. This benign cystic lesion, which is lined by synovium and can be found in association with other joints, occasionally erodes adjacent bone to form an intraosseous ganglion. We discuss an unusual case of an intraosseous temporomandibular ganglion cyst that presented with bloody otorrhea. Examination revealed an external auditory canal mass with radiographic evidence of temporal bone erosion. The cyst was excised using a combined approach to the glenoid fossa and mastoid. The management principals of this case and a pertinent review of the literature are included.

Ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint with intracranial extension in a patient presenting with seventh cranial nerve palsy

“…This case further supports the recommendation that aspiration of TMJ ganglion cysts is an inadequate treat-ment and complete resection should be sought. 1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases.…”

“…1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases. 7 Ganglion cysts of the TMJ should now also be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who harbor middle fossa lesions adjacent to the TMJ even when presenting with facial nerve paralysis.…”

Ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint with intracranial extension in a patient presenting with seventh cranial nerve palsy

“…This case further supports the recommendation that aspiration of TMJ ganglion cysts is an inadequate treat-ment and complete resection should be sought. 1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases.…”

“…1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases. 7 Ganglion cysts of the TMJ should now also be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who harbor middle fossa lesions adjacent to the TMJ even when presenting with facial nerve paralysis.…”

Temporomandibular joint ganglion-induced external auditory canal obstruction associated with osteoarthritis: a case report

“…Among TMJ ganglions, the occurrence of a mass in the external auditory canal is rare. In the literature, we found seven cases of TMJ ganglions in the ear canal, including the present case [ 2–7 ]. Three of these cases showed TMJ osteoarthritis with enlargement of the mandibular head.…”

Synovial Cysts in the Temporomandibular Joint: a Case Report and Critical Review of the Literature

“…The full-length articles were screened in detail according to the exclusion criteria. After thorough reading of all the histological descriptions, it was concluded that 4 cases reported as ganglion cysts were erroneously diagnosed and were in fact true synovial cysts according to the authors’ published histology [13,19,28,29] (text and/or histological image). Furthermore, histological findings in 4 cysts in 3 articles were found to be insufficiently described, and these 4 cysts were therefore not included in the study [4,12,30].…”

Ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint with intracranial extension in a patient presenting with seventh cranial nerve palsy

“…This case further supports the recommendation that aspiration of TMJ ganglion cysts is an inadequate treat-ment and complete resection should be sought. 1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases.…”

“…1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases. 7 Ganglion cysts of the TMJ should now also be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who harbor middle fossa lesions adjacent to the TMJ even when presenting with facial nerve paralysis.…”

Temporomandibular joint ganglion-induced external auditory canal obstruction associated with osteoarthritis: a case report

“…Among TMJ ganglions, the occurrence of a mass in the external auditory canal is rare. In the literature, we found seven cases of TMJ ganglions in the ear canal, including the present case [ 2–7 ]. Three of these cases showed TMJ osteoarthritis with enlargement of the mandibular head.…”

Synovial Cysts in the Temporomandibular Joint: a Case Report and Critical Review of the Literature

“…The full-length articles were screened in detail according to the exclusion criteria. After thorough reading of all the histological descriptions, it was concluded that 4 cases reported as ganglion cysts were erroneously diagnosed and were in fact true synovial cysts according to the authors’ published histology [13,19,28,29] (text and/or histological image). Furthermore, histological findings in 4 cysts in 3 articles were found to be insufficiently described, and these 4 cysts were therefore not included in the study [4,12,30].…”

Ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint with intracranial extension in a patient presenting with seventh cranial nerve palsy

“…This case further supports the recommendation that aspiration of TMJ ganglion cysts is an inadequate treat-ment and complete resection should be sought. 1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases.…”

“…1 As in our patient's case, recurrence may follow incomplete resection or aspiration. 1,7 Patients with asymptomatic lesions may undergo a period of conservative management, as spontaneous involution is thought to occur in some cases. 7 Ganglion cysts of the TMJ should now also be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who harbor middle fossa lesions adjacent to the TMJ even when presenting with facial nerve paralysis.…”

Temporomandibular joint ganglion-induced external auditory canal obstruction associated with osteoarthritis: a case report

“…Among TMJ ganglions, the occurrence of a mass in the external auditory canal is rare. In the literature, we found seven cases of TMJ ganglions in the ear canal, including the present case [ 2–7 ]. Three of these cases showed TMJ osteoarthritis with enlargement of the mandibular head.…”

Synovial Cysts in the Temporomandibular Joint: a Case Report and Critical Review of the Literature

“…The full-length articles were screened in detail according to the exclusion criteria. After thorough reading of all the histological descriptions, it was concluded that 4 cases reported as ganglion cysts were erroneously diagnosed and were in fact true synovial cysts according to the authors’ published histology [13,19,28,29] (text and/or histological image). Furthermore, histological findings in 4 cysts in 3 articles were found to be insufficiently described, and these 4 cysts were therefore not included in the study [4,12,30].…”