Synovial Cyst of the Temporomandibular Joint

Abstract

Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are benign, true cystic lesions. Their walls are lined by flattened or cuboidal cells of synovial origin. They contain gelatinous material -a secretion of the cells. The etiology is related to trauma and/or developmental disorder of TMJ. The differentiation includes salivary gland cysts, pharyngeal cysts of branchial origin and tumors of the preauricular area. Diagnostics consists of MR/CT imaging and histopathologic examination. Treatment focuses on complete or incomplete cyst excision. In this report, we describe a case of a 53-year-old female with a synovial cyst in the right TMJ area.