An interesting radiological picture of post traumatic TMJ ankylosis due to sagittal condylar fracture

Abstract

IntroductionIn a condylar fracture whether to intervene or to go for conservative management still remains a dilemma. Studies and hypothesis suggests that it's medially dislocated condylar fracture segment that is more likely to ankylose, moreover no consensus have been put forth as to whether to remove the medially displaced fracture segment. Presentation of caseThe current article describes a case of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, which resulted as a sequlae from conservative management of a bilateral condylar fracture of which, the ankylosed side had a sagittal fracture of condyle. In our case the post trauma CT shows the lateral segment abutting with the arch and that the area has become ankylotic in a span of 2 years. Here we report a case of posttraumatic unilateral TMJ ankylosis resulting from closed reduction of a bilateral condylar fracture with interesting radiological findings. DiscussionWe have tried to discuss a rather interesting radiological picture of posttraumatic TMJ ankylosis which resulted as a sequlae from conservative management of a bilateral condylar fracture. ConclusionThe dilemma for a clinician as to whether to intervene in a condylar fracture or to go for conservative management still remains at large. As in this case the medial fracture segment was intact and the lateral segment was resulting in ankylosis.