Possible inflammatory pathways relating temporomandibular joint dysfunction to otic symptoms.

Abstract

Otic symptoms are well known to be part of the “syndrome” related to anterior disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint complex. This paper attempts to relate these symptoms to a possible causation already recognized as part of the disease system, namely retrodiskitis.In order to be affected by this disease, the parts of the ear governing these symptoms should be in close proximity, be vulnerable due to easy passage of inflammatory products, and be available (i.e., not bony-enclosed).Injections were made through the available passages and dissections performed showing the vulnerability of the two extrabony extensions of the middle ear and the inner ear. These were the eustacean tube and the saccus endolymphaticus.Ease of passage was demonstrated to both the above organ extensions. Theevidence seen tended to strenghten this theory in the form of fibrosis in these pathways. The importance of the hair cells in the inner ear was shown and possible effects on them demonstrated.This could very well be an important direction of study for the treatment of these symptoms through the reduction and prevention of retrodiskitis due to anterior dislocation of the TMJ disk.