Synovial Chondromatosis of the Temporomandibular Joint: A clinical and arthroscopic study of 16 cases

Abstract

ObjectivesPresent and overview the clinical finding, management and arthroscopic study of Synovial Chondromatosis (SC) cases in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) treated by our team. Study designDuring year 2008–2018, 16 TMJ SC cases were treated and reviewed. The clinical manifestations, radiographic data, arthroscopic study and pathologic findings were recorded and analyzed. ResultsAverage age of first visit was 32.68. The ratio of male/female was 2/14, right/left was 7/9. The most common symptoms were pain, continuous crepitus and limited mouth opening (LMO). All cases were examined by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperative and proved by pathology postoperative. The diagnostic rates of CT and MRI were 12.5% and 93.75% respectively. 1 case could not be detected by both, but by arthroscopy. Particles in all cases occurred in the upper joint cavity and were all removed by arthroscopic technique. No recurrence was found after 3 years follow-up. ConclusionsMRI and arthroscopic technique could be the first choice in the diagnosis and treatment of SC. Most cases were in stage 3 of the disease at the first visit. Low recurrence rate may be attributed to the improvement of intra-articular environment after surgery. Larger sample sizes are needed for further study.