Surgical approaches to temporomandibular joint tumor involving infratemporal space

Abstract

Infratemporal space (ITS) is in the center of hemi-maxilloface, containing major nerves and vessels. Thus, surgical approaches to tumors inside the space, as well as the protection of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is difficult. Lateral, anterior and inferior approaches are common surgical approaches to the ITS. But for tumors also involving other major structures, multi-disciplinary cooperation is needed. No summary on different surgical approaches for TMJ tumors extending to the ITS was found. Recent literatures on those approaches were reviewed in this paper. Key words: Infratemporal space; Temporomandibular joint; Tumor; Surgical approach