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

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.

Evaluation of the mechanism and principles of management of temporomandibular joint dislocation. Systematic review of literature and a proposed new classification of temporomandibular joint dislocation

BACKGROUND

Virtually all the articles in literature addressed only a specific type of dislocation. The aim of this review was to project a comprehensive understanding of the pathologic processes and management of all types of dislodgement of the head of the mandibular condyle from its normal position in the glenoid fossa. In addition, a new classification of temporomandibular joint dislocation was also proposed.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

A thorough computer literature search was done using the Medline, Cochrane library and Embase database. Key words like temporo-mandibular joint dislocation were used for the search. Additional manual search was done by going through published home-based and foreign articles. Case reports/series, and original articles that documented the type of dislocation, number of cases treated in the series and original articles. Treatment done and outcome of treatment were included in the study.

RESULT

A total of 128 articles were reviewed out which 79 were found relevant. Of these, 26 were case reports, 17 were case series and 36 were original articles. 79 cases were acute dislocations, 35 cases were chronic protracted TMJ dislocations and 311 cases were chronic recurrent TMJ dislocations. Etiology was predominantly trauma in 60% of cases and other causes contributed about 40%. Of all the cases reviewed, only 4 were unilateral dislocation. Various treatment modalities are outlined in this report as indicated for each type of dislocation.

CONCLUSION

The more complex and invasive method of treatment may not necessarily offer the best option and outcome of treatment, therefore conservative approaches should be exhausted and utilized appropriately before adopting the more invasive surgical techniques.