Primary synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with temporal involvement

ABSTRACT

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign, monoarticular arthropathy that is characterized by the development of highly cellular, metaplastic cartilaginous nodules in the synovial membrane. It commonly affects larger joints such as the knee, elbow, wrist, shoulder, and hip. Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is rare. Moreover, the temporal involvement of synovial chondromatosis without connection with joint is greatly rare. A 44-year-old women had experienced pain of the right TMJ area and limitation of mouth opening. MRI and CT revealed multiple calcified loose bodies and widening in right upper joint space of TMJ and osteolytic lesion in right temporal bone. Treatment consisted of removal of multiple loose bodies, resection of the osteolytic lesion through the preauricular approach. She was diagnosed with primary transitional synovial chondromatosis of TMJ with involvement of temporal bone. In spite of remaining of the loose bodies, pain and mouth opening improved and there have been no recurrence of signs and symptoms for 5 years follow up.