Traumatic Dislocation of the Mandibular Condyle into the Middle Cranial Fossa Treated With Immediate Reconstruction: A Case Report

Superior Dislocation of the Mandibular Condyle into the Middle Cranial Fossa: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

The superior dislocation of the condyle into the cranium occasionally requires invasive procedures due to the absence of a timely diagnosis. This review analyzed the available clinical data to provide information on treatment decisions. The reports were assessed using electronic medical databases from inception to 31 October 2022. A total of 116 cases from 104 studies were assessed; among the patients, 60% and 87.5% of the affected women and men required open reduction, respectively. The ratio of closed to open procedures within 7 days after injury was maintained; however, closed reduction decreased over time, and all cases required open reduction after 22 days. Eighty percent of the patients with a total intrusion of the condyle required open reduction, whereas the frequency for both procedures was comparable in the remaining patients. Open reduction was significantly more frequently performed for men (p = 0.026, odds ratio; 4.959, 95% confidence interval; 1.208-20.365) and less frequently performed in cases with partial intrusion (p = 0.011; odds ratio: 0.186; 95% confidence interval: 0.051-0.684); the frequency varied according to the time until treatment (p = 0.027, odds ratio; 1.124, 95% confidence interval; 1.013-1.246). Appropriate diagnostic imaging and prompt diagnosis are indispensable for minimally invasive treatment of this condition.

A Case of Glenoid Fossa Fracture, Progressive Ankylosis, Total Joint Reconstruction with Alloplastic Prosthesis to Normalized Function Including Evaluation with F18-PET/CT-a Four Year Follow-up

Temporomandibular joint replacement (TJR) with alloplastic prosthesis has shown promising long-term results in end stage joint disorders. We present a case of young woman with painful ankylosis that where reconstructed with TJR, due to a complex mandibular fracture with dislocation of the left condyle into the middle cranial fossa two years earlier. At the age of 18 the subject underwent a total joint replacement with custom-made alloplastic TMJ prosthesis. To determine the bone response and remodeling activity around the prosthesis, a F18 PET/CT-scan was used. No sign of increased remodeling or pathology were seen in the imaging after the reconstruction. Four years postoperatively the subject reports no pain and excellent jaw function.

Dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa: a case report

INTRODUCTION

A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital following a motor vehicle accident. Her chief complaint was severe limited mouth opening and unilateral open bite on the left.

METHODS

Axial and coronal CT scans showed penetration of right condyle into the middle cranium through the fractured roof of glenoid fossa. A craniotomy exactly above the glenoid fossa was done.

RESULTS

The condyle was reduced and the glenoid fossa was reconstructed.

CONCLUSION

On postoperative follow-up at 6 months, the patient had no complaint, but there was a small deviation to the affected side on opening.

Unusual costochondral bone graft complication

In hemifacial microsomia, patients with severely hypoplastic mandibles (Pruzansky type III) require replacement of the ramus and condyle unit. Common complications of this procedure include graft fracture and overgrowth of the graft. An uncommon case of osteolysis of the costochondral graft with osteitis of the middle cranial fossa is reported herein. To our knowledge, no such case has been reported in the literature previously. The aim of this report is to present the only known case and to discuss the contributing factors.

'Inverse' temporomandibular joint dislocation

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation can be classified into four groups (anterior, posterior, lateral, and superior) depending on the direction of displacement and the location of the condylar head. All the groups are rare except for anterior dislocation. 'Inverse' TMJ dislocation is a bilateral anterior and superior dislocation with impaction of the mandible over the maxilla; to the authors' knowledge only two cases have previously been reported in the literature. Inverse TMJ dislocation has unique clinical and radiographic findings, which are described for this case.

Dislocation of a fractured mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa: a case treated by an extracranial approach

INTRODUCTION

Penetration of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa is a rare complication usually due to blunt traumas to the chin. Particular anatomical and dynamic conditions can lead to the intracranial dislocation of the condyle in spite of the fracture of the condylar neck that usually prevents this event from dissipating the kinetic force of the impact.

DISCUSSION

We report the case of a 10-year-old female patient suffering from symphyseal and bilateral condilar fracture with intrusion of the left condyle into the middle cranial fossa. The diagnosis of intracranial dislocation was initially missed because of the nonspecific symptomatology and insufficient radiologic data provided by conventional investigations (plain X-rays and panoramic views). The persistence of the limitation of the mouth opening and the worsening of the preauricular pain with irradiation to the temporal region led us to perform further radiological investigations (computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) that revealed the intracranial complication. A successful removal of the displaced condyle was carried out through an extracranial approach, and at a 3-year follow-up temporomandibular joint function is satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

The case is reported to emphasize the need for careful radiological investigation in case of condylar fractures and the effectiveness of the extracranial route to surgically treat these rare complications.

Dislocation of the mandible into the middle cranial fossa. Case report

Dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa is a rare event due to anatomical and biomechanical factors. The authors report the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with this condition after colliding with a classmate. One day after her injury, the patient demonstrated an inability to close her mouth completely, and she had minor tenderness to palpation anterior to the tragus, without neurological deficits. Imaging studies demonstrated a fractured glenoid fossa with intrusion of the mandible into the cranial cavity. Open reduction of the mandibular condyle was performed, and the glenoid fossa was reconstructed with a split-thickness bone graft and titanium screws. Several dural tears noted at the time of surgery were repaired primarily. Mandibular condyle dislocation into the middle cranial fossa is often misdiagnosed initially because of its low incidence and nonspecific symptoms. Computed tomography scanning is the most sensitive diagnostic study for detecting this injury. Closed reduction after induction of general anesthesia has been recommended in recently suffered injuries without neurological deficits, but this approach may overlook damage to intracranial structures. Surgical repair is recommended if neurological injury is suspected. Treatment options should be tailored to the individual factors of each case.

Bony eminence on the middle cranial fossa corresponding to the temporomandibular joint

We report a nameless bony eminence over the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its possible clinical significance. Forty-two half heads of 21 UK Caucasian cadavers (61-95 years old, mean 84.3 +/- 8.2 years, male:female = 11:10) were used to investigate the surface of the middle cranial fossa (MCF) over the TMJ. The thickness of the bony roof of the glenoid fossa was also measured. A bony eminence over the glenoid fossa was observed in half of the specimens. Some showed a complete oval bulge, which completely reflected the contour of the glenoid fossa. The others showed a bony bulge, which partially reflected that contour. The mean (+/-SD) thickness of the bone in the roof of glenoid fossa was 1.5 +/- 1.2 mm. The mean bony thickness of specimens showing the eminence was 0.8 +/- 0.5 mm, whereas it was 2.3 +/- 1.2 mm in specimens without an eminence. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The osteological features we describe may be relevant to certain clinical problems. Traumatic dislocation of mandibular condyle, for example, might relate to a weakness of the glenoid fossa.