J Oral Med Pain.  2024 Jun;49(2):35-39. 10.14476/jomp.2024.49.2.35.

Osteomyelitis of the Mandibular Coronoid Process Mimicking a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Case Report

• Chun JY
• Shim YJ

• KMID: 2557748
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14476/jomp.2024.49.2.35

Abstract

Osteomyelitis of the jaw is an inflammatory process of the bone marrow that is caused by odontogenic local infection and trauma such as tooth extraction and fractures in the oral and maxillofacial region. The clinical signs include pain, swelling, pus formation, and limited mouth opening. Chronic osteomyelitis presents a diagnostic challenge because of the variability of symptoms across different disease stages and varying health conditions of the patients. This report presents a case of osteomyelitis that was misdiagnosed as a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) after tooth extraction. The patient was treated for inflammation after tooth extraction in the early stage; however, as the osteomyelitis progressed chronically, symptoms mimicked those of a TMD. The patient was finally diagnosed with osteomyelitis 6 months after tooth extraction. A review of this case and relevant literature revealed the necessity for a differential diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis that mimics TMD symptoms.

Keyword

Differential diagnosis; Osteomyelitis; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Tooth extraction