Aetiology of bifid condyle

Abstract

Free AccessLetter to the editorAetiology of bifid condyleP P JajuP P JajuSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:28 Jan 2014https://doi.org/10.1259/dmfr/32282722SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail AboutIn reference to the article “The frequency of bifid mandibular condyle in a Turkish patient population” published in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology,1 I wish to congratulate the authors for an informative study. Bifid mandibular condyle is a rare abnormality of unknown aetiology. The authors took great effort in mentioning multiple aetiologies of bifid condyle, for example, endocrine disturbances, exposure to teratogens, nutritional deficiencies, infection, radiation, trauma and genetic induced. In addition to the numerous aetiological factors described in the article I wish to elaborate some theories not mentioned.Poswillo et al2 suggested that it occurs as a result of changes in the position or form of the disc, leading to the formation of intraarticular septa across the joint space. This, in turn, influences the pattern of condylar regeneration. Post fracture healing and remodelling of the mandibular condyle, if they involve lateral and medial fragments, have also been linked to the development of ankylosis or bifid mandibular condyle. Szentpetery et al3 stated that the site of fracture and, most probably, its relation to the insertion of the lateral pterygoid muscle may determine future development of a normal or bifid condyle. Gundlach et al4 experimentally induced bifid condyles in animals by injecting teratogenic substances such as, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and formhydroxamic acid in different concentrations at various stages of pregnancy. In addition, some reports of bifid mandibular condyle have established a relationship between the origin of the condition and the glenoid fossa. In developmental bifid mandibular condyle there is a separate glenoid fossa for each of the two parts, while in traumatic bifid mandibular condyle there is only one glenoid fossa.5 I hope these further possible explanations of the various theories adds to our knowledge of bifid condyle.References1 Miloglu O , Yalcin E , Buyukkurt MC , Yilmaz AB , Harorli A . The frequency of bifid mandibular condyle in a Turkish patient population. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2010;39:42–46. Link ISI, Google Scholar2 Poswillo DE . Late effects of mandibular condylectomy. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Patho 1972;33:500–512. Crossref Medline ISI, Google Scholar3 Szentpetery A , Kocsis G , Marcsik A . The problem of the bifid mandibular condyle. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1990;48:1254–1257. Crossref Medline ISI, Google Scholar4 Gundlach KK . Formhydroxamic acid-induced malformations of the temporo-mandibular joint. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1983;11:121–123. Google Scholar5 Stadnicki G . Congenital double condyle of the mandible causing temporomandibular joint ankylosis: report of case. J Oral Surg 1971;29:208–211. Medline, Google Scholar Previous article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byMultiheaded mandibular condyles26 July 2022 | Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, Vol. 46Bifid condyle secondary to traumatic condylar fractureJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology, Vol. 26, No. 4Nontraumatic Bilateral Bifid Condyle and Intermittent Joint Lock: A Case Report and Literature ReviewJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vol. 69, No. 8 Volume 39, Issue 4May 2010Pages: 191-256 2010 The British Institute of Radiology History Published onlineJanuary 28,2014 Metrics Download PDF