Role of Computed Tomographic Angiography in Treatment of Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis

Peri-articular bone formation involving the temporomandibular joint: a narrative summary and Delphi consensus of a new classification system

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is defined as 'bone where it does not belong'. Given the historical variety of nomenclature and eponyms, there is significant confusion about the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, and treatment of HO related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The existing classifications for TMJ HO have shortcomings: they relate to specific populations, use differing imaging studies and demographic data, do not universally include alloplastic/autologous replacements, are based variously on radiological and/or clinical presentations that cannot always be combined, and were largely developed to assist oral and maxillofacial surgeons in surgical management. These deficiencies make it problematic to compare studies, draw valid conclusions, and pursue research. The aim of this study was to develop a new, more inclusive classification for TMJ HO. Currently available classifications were evaluated and a Delphi-type system used to build consensus from clinicians and researchers to develop a new system. Fourteen unique classifications for TMJ ankylosis/HO were identified. In light of the biological specifics related to heterotopic calcification of extracellular matrix versus heterotopic formation of actual bone, the group recommends a more unambiguous term - peri-articular bone formation - and proposes a new classification. This will help clinicians and researchers to study, describe, and manage various types of ectopic bone associated with the TMJ.

Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis as a Sequel of an Overlooked Condylar Fracture in a Child

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis is an important entity that dentists and maxillofacial surgeons should know about. It clinically manifests through a permanent limitation of mandibular movements coupled with mouth opening inferior to 3 cm. This serious pathology can have serious functional repercussions, such as mastication problems, speech troubles, eating disorders, and jaw growth hindrance, in addition to the psychological difficulties in coping with such a condition in daily life. Herein, we present a radiological and chronological illustration of the evolution of temporomandibular joint ankylosis following an overlooked traumatic fracture of the mandibular condyle. The present case report involves an 8-year-old patient referred for a gradually evolving mouth opening limitation following a car accident. Tomodensitometry was helpful as it revealed an osseous block between the left temporomandibular joint surfaces, showing an ankylosis. Posttraumatic cerebral computed tomography scan was performed. It revealed an undetected fracture of the left condyle. The aim of this paper was to show how a traumatic ankylosis could have been avoided if enough attention was paid to the interpretation of immediate posttraumatic computed tomography scans. A thorough dental examination must be carried out once vital emergency is over. Early diagnosis of temporomandibular joint trauma is a crucial factor in preventing complications, such as ankylosis and its consequent oral dysfunctions. The dentist must automatically suspect condylar fracture when a child presents a history of head trauma, especially a mandibular trauma. This case should be a reminder that although temporomandibular joints are very often left out in patients' vital emergency first examination, temporomandibular joints/they are still a highly important structure which omission, and thus, dysfunction, if lesions are present, can lead to nonnegligible medico-legal consequences/that temporomandibular joints should be taken into account during patients' vital emergency first examination because if they are neglected, in the presence of lesions, they cause dysfunction, thus leading to nonnegligible medico-legal consequences.

Management of Temporomandibular Joint Reankylosis: A Case Series

Background Temporomandibular joint ankylosis is a severe debilitating clinical condition where there is fusion of the mandible with the temporal bone. It is often a challenge to the maxillofacial surgeon as the surgical treatment protocol must be tailored individually according to the time of presentation of the ankylosis, and proper postoperative aggressive physiotherapy must be advocated, which is essential for a successful outcome. This is a case series of six recurrent temporomandibular joint ankylosis, in which the historical Esmarch surgery was done, and the pterygomassetric sling was interposed between the osteotomized segments. Postoperative mouth opening and surgical outcome were satisfactory. In our cases, we created a pseudojoint, which was very successful using the Esmarch procedure. Aim We aim to improve mouth opening in patients presenting with temporomandibular joint reankylosis using the Esmarch procedure and evaluate the efficacy of the conventional and modified Esmarch procedure. Materials and methods We have included six cases of recurrent temporomandibular joint reankylosis. Five cases were operated on using the conventional Esmarch procedure in which the osteotomy was done at the angle region, below the inferior alveolar nerve canal, and one case using the modified Esmarch procedure, wherein the osteotomy was done above the inferior alveolar nerve canal. The patients included in the case series presented with temporomandibular joint reankylosis and had undergone multiple surgeries for the release of ankylosis. Results Satisfactory postoperative mouth opening was achieved in all six patients. It was observed that in the modified Esmarch osteotomy, where the cuts were placed above the inferior alveolar nerve canal, there was a massive hemorrhage intraoperatively. This was primarily attributed to the altered anatomy of the maxillary artery, which was very close to the ankylotic mass. When the osteotomy was done below the inferior alveolar nerve canal, it was found that by this technique, the intraoperative hemorrhage was minimal, but it carries a risk of postoperative inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, which was managed conservatively. Conclusion With the abovementioned results, we proceeded with the conventional Esmarch procedure for five cases and the modified Esmarch procedure for one case. It was found that in temporomandibular joint reankylosis cases, where there is extensive ankylotic mass extending from the glenoid fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible, this Esmarch procedure provides promising results when the osteotomy cuts are placed below the nerve canal.

Radiological Analysis of Maxillary Artery Relationships to Key Bony Landmarks in Maxillofacial Surgery

The maxillary artery (MA) is a key structure at risk of injury in numerous oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMS) procedures. Knowledge of safe distances from this vessel to surgically familiar bony landmarks could improve patient safety and prevent catastrophic haemorrhage. Distances between the MA and bony landmarks on the maxilla and mandible were measured using CT angiograms on 100 patients (200 facial halves). The vertical height of the pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) was mean (SD) measurement of 16 (3) mm. The MA enters the pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) a mean (SD) distance of 29 (3) mm from the most inferior point of the PMJ. The mean (SD) shortest distance between the MA and medial surface of the mandible was 2 (2) mm (with the vessel directly contacting the mandible in 17% of cases). The branchpoint (bifurcation of the superficial temporal artery (STA) and MA) was directly in contact with the mandible in 5% of cases. The mean (SD) distances between this bifurcation point and the medial pole of the condyle were 20 (5) mm and 22 (5) mm, respectively. A horizontal plane through the sigmoid notch perpendicular to the posterior border of the mandible is a good approximation of the trajectory of the MA. The branchpoint is usually within 5 mm of this line and inferior in 70% of cases. Surgeons should take note that both the branchpoint and the MA contact the surface of the mandible in a significant number of cases.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in temporomandibular joint ankylosis - An evaluative study

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a pathologic condition where the mandible is fused to the fossa by bony or fibrotic tissues. Haemorrhage is one of the major complications during TMJ surgery especially in ankyloses due to altered anatomy. The aim of the study was to analyse the proximity of the vasculature to the TMJ region in TMJ ankylosis patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Materials and Methods:

Noncontrast-enhanced MRI images of seven patients were assessed. The distance between maxillary artery and neck of condyle/ankylotic mass was measured using coronal sections and distance between the internal carotid artery (ICA), internal jugular vein (IJV) and medial edge of condyle/bony mass were measured using axial sections.

Results:

The mean distance of internal maxillary artery (IMA) to medial edge of ankylotic mass was 1 ± 0.57 mm and 2 ± 1.2 mm-left and right condylar regions respectively (range: 0–4 mm).The mean distance from lateral aspect of ankylotic mass to IMA was 8.2 ± 1.4 mm and 8.7 ± 2.8 mm–right and left condylar regions respectively (range: 3–11 mm).The mean distance from medial edge of condyle to ICA was 18.8 ± 1.3 mm and 18.2 ± 1.1 mm-right and left condylar regions respectively (range: 17 mm–20 mm).The mean distance from the medial edge of condyle to IJV was 16.4 ± 1.1 mm and 14.5 ± 2.9 mm-right and left condylar regions (range: 11 mm–19 mm).

Discussion:

These measurements were used as a guide to plan the steps during surgery in order to minimise the intraoperative haemorrhagic complications. Hence, MRI may be considered as a valuable tool in assessing the juxtaposition of vascular bed to TMJ region, though contrast MRI and a larger sample is needed to standardise.

Can Alloplastic Total Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction be Used in the Growing Patient? A Preliminary Report

INTRODUCTION

Although primarily reserved for adult patients, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) total joint reconstructive (TJR) surgery is rarely used in the pediatric population due to its many challenges; it is only performed after all other non-invasive or invasive procedures have been exhausted. Although autogenous grafting has been discussed in the literature, there is very little regarding synthetic or alloplastic materials. In this study, we performed alloplastic TMJ reconstruction on 5 patients with severe ankylosis due to various craniofacial deformities and prior traumatic injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective case series analysis of skeletally immature patients who received alloplastic TMJ reconstruction for recurrent and advanced ankylosis. Our inclusion criteria were as follows: less than 16 years of age, diagnosis of TMJ ankylosis, skeletally immature patients, and unilateral/bilateral total alloplastic TMJ reconstruction. We used the maximum incisal opening (MIO) changes as 1 component to assess for functional improvement.

RESULTS

Since many of these cases involved gross discrepancies from the normal variants, it was difficult to quantitatively compare the patients with one another. Nevertheless, we used cephalometric analysis to compare pre- and postoperative results on each patient. For this study, we used MIO as our primary assessment: the preoperative average for MIO was 7.4 mm, and the postoperative average 24 mm.

CONCLUSION

It is our experience that the use of alloplastic material will not result in harm to either the growth of the mandible or patient's ability to achieve an improved MIO based on our long- and short-term results. These results demonstrate that for even complex craniofacial deformities and traumatic injuries, our patients experienced a significant improvement in MIO, 1 of the main indicators for TMJ function. We conclude that the alloplastic joint can provide a predictable pathway to restore patient's MIO and obviate the need for repeated surgeries, which can be a more challenging alternative with poorer outcomes.

Preauricular Swelling Mimicking a Tumour: Dissolution of Mandibular Capitulum Following Trauma in a 15-Year Old Child

AIM

The report is about diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up of a 15-year old boy, who experienced facial swelling and impaired mouth opening after a sport accident.

CASE REPORT

Diagnosis of mandibular damage was delayed due to inadequate clinical investigation and radiography after trauma and only became clear after a parotid swelling occurred sometime later resulting from the dissolution of the upper part of the articular process. Follow-up control over a period of three years showed a partial restoration of the articular process but some inhibition of mouth opening combined with slight deviation of the mandible to the affected side remained over the years.

CONCLUSION

This report reminds us that parotid swelling can be the result of mandibular trauma without a recent history of physical injury to this region. Therefore, the basic standards of radiologic diagnosis should be maintained and the limited restoring capacity of the condylar process in adolescence should be acknowledged.

Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Surgery in Children

PURPOSE

A variety of techniques have been described in the literature for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. However, 1 of the factors most commonly related to the failure of maintenance mouth opening in the postoperative period is the inadequate excision of the ankylotic mass. Furthermore, the surrounding noble structures, such as the base of the skull, internal maxillary artery, and dental germs, are at risk of being affected during the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this reason, prototyped guides have been proposed to steer osteotomies and resections of the ankylotic block in the temporomandibular joint.

RESULTS

Nevertheless, access to this technology, especially in developing countries, can represent a financial barrier.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, our proposal is to manufacture low-cost surgical cutting guides to increase their applicability.

Endovascular preoperative embolization for temporomandibular joint replacement surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This retrospective study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of preoperative endovascular embolization in patients who underwent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included all patients treated with preoperative embolization of the internal maxillary artery (IMAX) between June 2016 and January 2019. All patients were treated by the same surgeon using standard surgical approaches and procedures. Periprocedural adverse events, blood loss during surgery and clinical follow-up are reported.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (12 females, median age 32.5) were treated with 21 embolizations of the IMAX (bilateral embolizations in seven patients) prior to TMJ replacement surgery with prosthetic joints (TMJ Concepts prostheses). Seven patients presented with TMJ ankylosis/degenerative joint disease/post-trauma deformity, four patients with Idiopathic Condylar Resorption and resultant mandibular displacement/hypoplasia, two patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated condylar degeneration and resultant loss of mandibular position, and 1 patient being re-reconstructed following management of a prosthetic joint infection. Seven patients underwent bilateral prosthetic joint replacement. Four patients underwent additional facial skeletal surgery as part of their treatment. The mean blood volume loss during TMJ surgery was approximately 370 cc (range 100-800 cc). Joint space-specific blood loss was not recorded, but, as per the surgical team, was significantly decreased when compared to non-embolized patients. There were no intra-procedural complications. The median clinical follow-up was 3.5 months (range 1-24 months). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was 0 before the procedure and at last clinical follow-up in all patients. After TMJ surgery, three patients reported paresthesia of the trigeminal nerve likely related to the residual condyle resection and two patients had mild facial nerve weakness (Temporal and/or Marginal Mandibular branch) related to the surgical exposures.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular preoperative embolization of the IMAX is feasible, safe and likely effective in reducing blood volume loss in complex TMJ replacement surgery.

Proximity of the maxillary artery to the neck of the mandibular condyle: anatomical study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anatomical distance of the maxillary artery, the most superior portion of the condyle and subcondyle in standardized coronal sections, acquired from 16 hemifaces in 8 cadavers.

METHODS

Measurements were taken to evaluate the distance between the uppermost portion of the mandibular condyle and the height of the maxillary artery (AB) and between the lateral (CD) and medial (EF) sides of the condylar neck to the artery.

RESULTS

The mean for AB was 21.1 mm hemiface right and 22.9 mm left on the anterior face, 22.5 mm and 20.7 mm, respectively, on the rear face. The CD measurement presented 6.7 mm right side in the anterior face and 6.3 mm left, and the posterior face was 6.3 mm right side and 5.4 mm left; EF presented a mean of 2.2 mm right and 1.5 mm left on the anterior face and 1.6 mm for both sides on the posterior face.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference between hemifaces. The proximity of the maxillary artery to the medial face of the neck of the mandibular condyle is millimetric and presents risks of severe hemorrhage for interventions in the infratemporal fossa.

Prophylactic embolisation of the internal maxillary artery in patients with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of using prophylactic embolisation of the internal maxillary artery to minimise the risk of bleeding during gap arthroplasty. We studied a prospective series of 14 patients with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) between January 2011 and February 2016, who were under the care of one surgeon. They were all treated by embolisation of the internal maxillary artery 24hours before gap arthroplasty. The main outcome variable was estimated blood loss, and others included the need to extend the gap arthroplasty, and the risk of reankylosis. We studied nine women and five men, mean (SD) age 51 (18) years, seven with unilateral and seven with bilateral ankylosis. Their mean (SD) estimated blood loss was 136 (77) ml, which we considered to be minimal. Patients were followed-up at six-monthly intervals, during which time there was no reankylosis or limitation of mouth opening. No patient lost more than 250ml blood in total. Prophylactic embolisation of the internal maxillary artery seems to be beneficial and safe in the management of selected cases of ankylosis of the TMJ.

Internal Maxillary Artery Preoperative Embolization Using n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Pushable Coils for Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Surgery

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis causes disability through impaired digestion, mastication, speech, and appearance. Surgical treatment increases range of motion with resultant functional improvement. However, substantial perioperative blood loss can occur (up to 3 L) if the internal maxillary artery (IMAX) is injured as it traverses the ankylotic mass. Achieving hemostasis is difficult because of limited proximal IMAX access and poor visualization. Our aim is to investigate the technical feasibility and preliminary safety of preoperative IMAX embolization in patients undergoing TMJ ankylosis surgery.

METHODS

Case series using chart reviews of 2 patients who underwent preoperative embolization before TMJ ankylosis surgery.

RESULTS

Both patients were women (28 and 51 years old) who had severely restricted mouth opening. Embolization was performed using general anesthesia with nasal intubation on the same day of TMJ surgery. Both patients underwent bilateral IMAX embolization using pushable coils (Vortex, Boston Scientific) of distal IMAX followed by n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (Trufill, Cordis) embolization from coil mass up to proximal IMAX. There were no complications from the embolization procedures. Both patients had normal neurologic examination results. TMJ surgery occurred with minimal operative blood loss (≤300 mL for each surgery). Maximum postoperative mouth opening was 35 mm and 34 mm, respectively. One patient had a postoperative TMJ wound infection that was managed with antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative IMAX embolization before TMJ ankylosis surgery is technically feasible with encouraging preliminary safety. There were no complications from the embolization procedures and surgeries occurred with low volumes of blood loss.

Single-stage temporomandibular joint arthroplasty in a patient with complete bony ankylosis and previous extradural haematoma

We present a case of a man aged 20 years who was referred with the inability to open his mouth as a consequence of severe ankylosis of his temporomandibular joint. He had previously undergone an attempt to release the ankylosis at the referring institution; however, this was complicated by an extradural haematoma as a result of iatrogenic injury. We describe a one-stage procedure which provided safe excision of the ankylotic mass along with immediate total joint replacement with a custom implant. We advocate the use of preoperative vascular imaging along with the use of custom-made cutting guides to minimise vascular injury.

Interventional Radiology and Bleeding Disorders: What the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Needs to Know

Endovascular techniques are essential for controlling acute head and neck bleeding that cannot be controlled by local or systemic measures. Detailed knowledge of the head and neck vascular anatomy, advances in catheterization techniques, and the availability of new embolic materials have improved the safety, efficacy, and predictability of these procedures. To improve patient safety, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon must be familiar with these techniques.