Gonococcal arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: Report of a case

Abstract

Arthritis of the temporomandibular joint due to gonococcal infection occurs in about 14 per cent of patients afflicted with joint pathosis. The great increase in the veneral disease rate in the United States, particularly in gonorrhea, could presumably increase the incidence of temporomandibular joint involvement. This disease entity, then, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any temporomandibular joint or myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome.