J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2011 Dec;37(6):510-514. 10.5125/jkaoms.2011.37.6.510.

Infection of the temporomandibular joint: a report of three cases

• Kim HM
• Kim TW
• Hwang JH
• Lee DJ
• Park NR
• Song SI

• KMID: 2136989
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2011.37.6.510

Abstract

An intracapsular and pericapsular infection of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare. The invasion of bacteria into the joint space can occur through several routes. Among them, hematogenous spread is most common. This report describes three cases of abscess formation in the TMJ (intracapsular and pericapsular infection). The patients were treated with supportive care and surgical intervention (incision and drainage) under hospitalization, and their symptoms had improved. Pain of the TMJ is a typical symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). On the other hand, an infection of the TMJ can also cause pain on the affected side, and can be misdiagnosed as routine TMD. Therefore, the possibility of an infection of the TMJ cavity should be considered when treating TMD.

Keyword

Infection; Temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Septic arthritis

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Arthritis, Infectious
Bacteria
Hand
Hospitalization
Humans
Joints
Temporomandibular Joint
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. A. Clinical findings in Case 1. Hypoocclusion with ipsilateral posterior open bite. B. Computed tomography (CT) findings in Case 1. Coronal CTscan reveals intracapsular abscess formation in left temporomandibular joint with widened joint cavity (arrow). C. Treatment of Case 1. D. CT findings of postoperation in Case 1. One month follow-up CT-scan reveals a normal joint cavity. Hyung-Mo Kim et al: Infection of the temporomandibular joint: a report of three cases. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011

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  Fig. 2. A, B. Computed tomography (CT) findings of Case 2. Diffuse inflammation and multifocal small abscess cavity around right temporomandibular joint (arrows). C. CT findings of postoperation in Case 2. Normal joint cavity was seen (1 month later). Hyung-Mo Kim et al: Infection of the temporomandibular joint: a report of three cases. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011

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  Fig. 3. A, B. Computed tomography (CT) findings in Case 3. CT-scan reveals a right masticator space abscess with a low density mass (arrows). Hyung-Mo Kim et al: Infection of the temporomandibular joint: a report of three cases. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011

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