J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2016 Aug;42(4):227-230. 10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.4.227.

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: a case report

• Yang SW
• Cho JY
• Kim HM

• KMID: 2350076
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.4.227

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare disease. The most common symptoms of this disease are acute malocclusion, limited mouth opening, swelling, and tenderness of affected TMJ. These symptoms are often confused with internal derangement of the articular disc, rheumatoid arthritis, retrodiscitis, or osteoarthritis. Therefore, differential diagnosis by image examination is required. Usually, antimicrobial treatment and surgical drainage by needle aspiration, arthroscopy, or arthrotomy are effective treatment approaches. In this study, a patient who was diagnosed with septic arthritis was treated with arthrocentesis and antibiotics without significant complications. We present a case report with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Infectious arthritis; Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis; Temporomandibular joint aspiration

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Arthritis, Infectious*
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Arthrocentesis
Arthroscopy
Diagnosis, Differential
Drainage
Humans
Malocclusion
Mouth
Needles
Osteoarthritis
Rare Diseases
Temporomandibular Joint*
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Clinical photos presenting acute malocclusion.

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  Fig. 2 Transcranial projection of both temporomandibular joint (TMJ) showing enlarged joint space and limitation of translation on right TMJ.

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  Fig. 3 Turbid fluid with white debris was aspirated from right temporomandibular joint space.

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  Fig. 4 Occlusion discrepancy of the right side was improved but open bite of right molars was remained at 7 days after treatment.

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  Fig. 5 Normal occlusion was observed at 1 month after treatment.

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