Temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis accompanying temporal bone proliferation: A case report

Temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis: An analysis of 7 cases and literature review

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment procedure of synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

METHODS

Clinical features, imaging features, surgical methods, and prognosis of 7 patients with SC of the TMJ were analyzed. We also reviewed and analyzed surgery-relevant literature included in the Pubmed database in the past decade using the search terms "synovial chondromatosis" and "temporomandibular joint", and found 181 cases.

RESULTS

There was no specific difference in the symptoms of SC in the TMJ in different Milgram's stages in our cases and the cases mentioned in the literature. The main symptoms of SC in the TMJ were pain (100%, 7/7; 64.64%, 117/181), limited mouth opening (57.14%, 4/7; 53.59%, 97/181), swelling (14.29%, 1/7; 28.18%, 51/181), crepitus (28.57%, 2/7; 19.34%, 35/181), and clicking (14.29%, 1/7; 9.94%, 18/181) in our cases and cases from literature separately. The imaging features of SC were occupying lesions (including loose bodies or masses) (71.42%, 5/7; 37.57%, 68/181), bone change in condyle or glenoid fossa (1/7, 14.29%; 34.81%, 63/181), effusion (42.86%, 3/7; 20.99%, 38/181), joint space changes (42.86%, 3/7; 11.05%, 20/181) in our cases and cases from literature separately. The surgical procedures seem to depend mainly on the involved structures and the extension of the lesion rather than the Milgram's stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical features of SC in the TMJ are nonspecific and easy to be misdiagnosed. MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of SC in the TMJ. The surgical procedures mainly depend on the involved structures and the extension of the lesion.

A Case of Synovial Chondromatosis of Temporomandibular Joint with Numerous Loose Bodies

Here, we report a case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with numerous loose bodies. A 56-year-old woman was examined in the oral surgery department for trismus and pain in the left TMJ when opening the mouth. Imaging indicated TMJ synovial chondromatosis, and the patient was referred to our department for further examination. Her facial features were symmetrical, and no occlusal abnormalities were found. The maximum mouth opening was 30 mm, and movement of the left mandibular condyle was restricted and accompanied by pain and joint sounds. Panoramic radiography showed deformation of the left mandibular condyle and radiopaque lesions surrounding it. Computed tomography showed numerous small granules around the left mandibular condyle, some of which were calcified. Magnetic resonance imaging showed anterior disc displacement without reduction in the left TMJ and hypointense lesions on T2-weighted images. Bone scintigraphy showed an accumulation in the area of the left TMJ. Based on the diagnosis of the left TMJ synovial chondromatosis, the lesions were removed, and plastic surgery on the mandibular condyle was performed under general anesthesia. We removed 386 white loose bodies. Histopathologically, the loose bodies were consistent with synovial chondromatosis lesions. The postoperative course was uneventful, with no recurrence or TMJ dysfunction approximately 5 years after the surgery, indicating that open surgery is the best course of intervention in such cases.

Imaging features of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: a report of 34 cases

AIM

To investigate the imaging features of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a rare benign arthropathy with cartilaginous proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 34 patients with histopathologically confirmed primary synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ were reviewed retrospectively. Imaging features including the lesion epicentre, destruction/sclerosis of surrounding bone, calcification, periosteal reaction, osteophyte, lesion size, and joint space dimensions were assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one of thirty-four patients (91.2%) showed the superior joint space as the lesion epicentre. For the mandibular condyle, more than one-third of patients (14/34; 41.2%) showed no destruction, and more than half of patients (19/34; 55.9%) showed no sclerosis. Conversely, >70% of patients showed destruction and sclerosis of the articular eminence/glenoid fossa, while >80% of patients (28/34; 82.4%) presented with various calcifications, including the ring-and-arc (9/34; 26.5%) and popcorn (13/34; 38.2%) types. The mean joint space on the affected side was significantly larger than that of the unaffected side (p<0.001). More than three-fourths of patients (76.9%) experienced no interval increase in lesion size during an average of 1.6 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ demonstrated several imaging features, including the lesion centre being located in the superior joint space, resultant articular eminence/glenoid fossa-oriented bone changes, ring-and-arc and popcorn calcification, joint space widening, and self-limiting growth. These imaging features may be helpful in differentiating synovial chondromatosis from other lesions of the TMJ.

A rare case of giant synovial osteochondromatosis of the thigh: A case report

RATIONALE

Giant synovial osteochondromatosis of the thigh is a highly unusual disease without standard diagnosis and curative managements so far. Our focus is to report a very rare case of giant synovial osteochondromatosis successfully operated by surgical treatment. The management of these unique cases has certain educational significance in clinical practice.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 63-year-old previously healthy man presented to our institution with a 4-year history of continuous progressive hip pain and local numbness of right side in January 2018. One month ago, the patient felt that the above symptoms were aggravated, and the right hip and proximal thigh were significantly swollen.

DIAGNOSIS

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the hip revealed the irregular mass in his right thigh. Post-operative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of synovial osteochondromatosis of the thigh.

INTERVENTIONS

Considering the large volume of the mass and possibility of malignancy, the patient underwent surgical exploration and complete tumor resection.

OUTCOMES

The patient's neurological deficits and symptoms improved significantly after the surgery, and the postoperative period was uneventful at the 1-year follow-up visit. There were no complications associated with the operation during the follow-up period.

LESSONS

Taken together, the lesion's clinical features, imaging results, and pathological characteristics are unique. Synovial osteochondromatosis of the thigh, although rare, should be part of the differential diagnosis when the patient presents with local pain, numbness, swelling or other symptoms. We recommend surgical treatment for the occupying lesion when the tumor has caused symptoms or neurological deficits.