[Botulinum toxin treatment of neurogenic dislocation of the temporomandibular joint]

Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Upper Airway Collapse Resulting from Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation Due to Jaw-Opening Dystonia

To examine the effects of botulinum toxin injection application for the treatment of upper airway obstruction due to hyperactive lateral pterygoid muscle contraction, we applied botulinum toxin injection. A 20 year-old male patient had involuntary mouth opening after a diabetic coma. His mouth opened excessively (84 mm) particularly when he was in a nervous or stressed condition. This resulted in a bilateral temporomandibular dislocation and, consequently, upper airway collapse. The differential diagnosis of jaw-opening oromandibular dystonia was made. Botulinum toxin type A was bilaterally injected into the lateral pterygoid muscle. The excessive mouth opening was reduced, and the patient showed no temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation or experienced any further airway collapse after the injections. We successfully applied botulinum toxin to a patient with upper airway obstruction and TMJ dislocation relative to jaw-opening dystonia.

Die Arthrozentese als hochwirksame Akuttherapie der Kiefergelenkarthralgie

PURPOSE

This clinical study deals with the efficiency of arthrocentesis in acute arthropathy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total 142 patients (41.5 years average) were included in the examination. Inclusion criteria were a restriction of mouth opening <40 mm and/or TMJ pain >3 on a visual analog scale (VAS). The first examination took place the day before surgery; follow-up was performed 1 day and 4 weeks after arthrocentesis. Study parameters were active mouth opening, TMJ pain on preauricular or intra-auricular palpation, myalgia of the temporalis or masseter muscle, and a deviation clicking or crepitation during mouth opening. Arthrocentesis was performed in all patients under general anesthesia by a double puncture, continuous rinsing technique in an inferolateral approach as recommended by Murakami. The upper temporomandibular joint space was rinsed with 250 ml of a physiological sterile saline solution and a pressure of 200 mmHg.

RESULTS

Arthrocentesis resulted in a highly significant increase of mouth opening and a highly significant reduction of TMJ pain on palpation (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

It can be postulated that TMJ arthrocentesis represents a highly efficient therapy of acute TMJ arthropathy. Whether the results have to be judged as a palliative short-time therapy or if even long-term results can be achieved has to be proved by long-term follow-up studies.

Treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation with intramuscular botulinum toxin injection

Recurrent dislocation of the mandibular condyle poses a difficult problem for affected patients. In the course of time, dislocations often become more frequent and more difficult to avoid. Even with good patient compliance, conservative treatment is often not sufficient. Operative procedures have also been described for the treatment of temporomandibular joint dislocation. However, these interventions are invasive, involving open arthrotomy with possible complications, and cannot safely guarantee a successful outcome. On the other hand, botulinum toxin injections into the lateral pterygoid muscles offer the option of a predictable and prolonged period without renewed dislocation. We present the results of this treatment carried out in 21 patients with recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation. Four patients were treated following unsuccessful physical therapy and the use of occlusal splints. The remaining 17 patients were treated for a number of conditions resulting in dislocation, including some with senile dementia and mental impairment in whom compliance with conservative measures was poor or completely absent. Injections were given on a 3-month basis in order to have a sustained effect. Within the study period of 6 months to 3 years, only two of the 21 patients suffered further dislocation. There were no side effects recorded as a result of treatment.