Temporomandibular Disorder and Cerebellopontine Angle Meningioma: Perspectives from Three Medical Specialists

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the complexity of the differential diagnosis of Kosten's syndrome and meningioma in the area of the cerebellar bridge angle of the brain, as well as the severe suffering of patientsThe purpose of our study: development of an algorithm for the approach to the differential diagnosis of meningioma of the cerebellar angle and Kosten's syndrome.Materials and methods. To accomplish the set tasks, we examined 22 patients who complained of headache, hearing impairment, sensation of tinnitus, pain and crepitus in the temporomandibular joint during movements of the lower jaw, paresthesia of the oral and nasal mucosa. All patients were assigned studies: cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ according to indications.Results. Since complaints can lead patients to see doctors of various specialties, it is necessary to be able to differentiate between Costen's syndrome and a tumor of the cerebral pons-cerebral angle. In Costen's syndrome, the pain most often has an aching character, in contrast to the volumetric formations of the brain, in which the pain is burning, spreading along the branches of the facial or trigeminal nerve. One of the main methods of excluding a brain tumor is magnetic resonance imaging.Conclusions. The most significant modern method for diagnosing Costen's syndrome and meningioma of the cerebellopontine angle is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ and the brain. Differential signs of Costen's syndrome are distal displacement of the head of the lower jaw, diagnosed by CBCT and MRI, as well as displacement of the articular disc (determined by MRI). A meningioma of the cerebellopontine angle is indicated by the burning nature of pain in half of the face, as well as confirmation of the diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.