Temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis accompanying temporal bone proliferation: A case report

Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare metaplastic disease affecting the joints, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Since its symptoms are similar to those of temporomandibular disorders, a careful differential diagnosis is essential. A 50-year-old male patient was referred with the chief complaint of pain and radiopaque masses around the left TMJ on panoramic radiography. Clinically, pre-auricular swelling and resting pain was found, without limitation of mouth opening. On cone-beam computed tomographic images, multiple calcified nodules adjacent to the TMJ and bone proliferation with sclerosis at the articular fossa and eminence were found. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images showed multiple signal-void nodules with high signal effusion in the superior joint space and thickened cortical bone at the articular fossa and eminence. The calcified nodules were removed by surgical excision, but the hypertrophic articular fossa and eminence remained. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was followed up few months later without recurrence.

Temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis: An analysis of 7 cases and literature review

“… 11 , 28 T2WI of MRI has an important reference value for the diagnosis of SC in the TMJ, which mainly manifests as a synovial thickening, joint capsule expansion, cartilage nodules, or calcified loose bodies showing low signal intensity scattered in the effusion that present high signal intensity. 30 , 31 MRI could be a reliable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of SC in the TMJ as its estimated diagnostic accuracy is nearly 96.06%. 32 In case 1 of this study, the CBCT image showed a widened joint cavity space, and one ineffective injection treatment made the clinician aware of the possibility of SC.…”

Imaging features of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: a report of 34 cases

“…9,23,29e31 Regarding the popcorn calcification type, the shape is actually more similar to a crescent enveloping the mandibular condyle (Figs 2d, 7a, 7b, 7d, 7e) rather than a circle on an axial plane, which is also consistent with a previous report. 32 The reason for this type of calcification forming a crescent shape may be that the involved nodules are conglomerated in an environment where the joint space is narrow and the condyle impacts the calcification formation.…”

Synovial Chondromatosis of the Temporomandibular Joint Misdiagnosed as Avulsion Fracture of Condylar Process of the Mandible: A Case Report

“…Consequently, radiological imaging is the key to differentiate between these two different conditions. SC more often occurs in superior articulation cavity, generally involves rounder loose bodies and usually shows regular configuration of mandibular condyle associated with expansion and effusion of the joint cavity [9]. Degenerative joint disease, instead, usually occurs in inferior articulation cavity, involves angular loose bodies and generally presents evident degenerative modifications of the mandibular condyle, frequently associated with osteophytes [9].…”