Proximity of the middle meningeal artery and maxillary artery to the mandibular head and mandibular neck as revealed by three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography

Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis as a Sequel of an Overlooked Condylar Fracture in a Child

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis is an important entity that dentists and maxillofacial surgeons should know about. It clinically manifests through a permanent limitation of mandibular movements coupled with mouth opening inferior to 3 cm. This serious pathology can have serious functional repercussions, such as mastication problems, speech troubles, eating disorders, and jaw growth hindrance, in addition to the psychological difficulties in coping with such a condition in daily life. Herein, we present a radiological and chronological illustration of the evolution of temporomandibular joint ankylosis following an overlooked traumatic fracture of the mandibular condyle. The present case report involves an 8-year-old patient referred for a gradually evolving mouth opening limitation following a car accident. Tomodensitometry was helpful as it revealed an osseous block between the left temporomandibular joint surfaces, showing an ankylosis. Posttraumatic cerebral computed tomography scan was performed. It revealed an undetected fracture of the left condyle. The aim of this paper was to show how a traumatic ankylosis could have been avoided if enough attention was paid to the interpretation of immediate posttraumatic computed tomography scans. A thorough dental examination must be carried out once vital emergency is over. Early diagnosis of temporomandibular joint trauma is a crucial factor in preventing complications, such as ankylosis and its consequent oral dysfunctions. The dentist must automatically suspect condylar fracture when a child presents a history of head trauma, especially a mandibular trauma. This case should be a reminder that although temporomandibular joints are very often left out in patients' vital emergency first examination, temporomandibular joints/they are still a highly important structure which omission, and thus, dysfunction, if lesions are present, can lead to nonnegligible medico-legal consequences/that temporomandibular joints should be taken into account during patients' vital emergency first examination because if they are neglected, in the presence of lesions, they cause dysfunction, thus leading to nonnegligible medico-legal consequences.

Management of Temporomandibular Joint Reankylosis: A Case Series

Background Temporomandibular joint ankylosis is a severe debilitating clinical condition where there is fusion of the mandible with the temporal bone. It is often a challenge to the maxillofacial surgeon as the surgical treatment protocol must be tailored individually according to the time of presentation of the ankylosis, and proper postoperative aggressive physiotherapy must be advocated, which is essential for a successful outcome. This is a case series of six recurrent temporomandibular joint ankylosis, in which the historical Esmarch surgery was done, and the pterygomassetric sling was interposed between the osteotomized segments. Postoperative mouth opening and surgical outcome were satisfactory. In our cases, we created a pseudojoint, which was very successful using the Esmarch procedure. Aim We aim to improve mouth opening in patients presenting with temporomandibular joint reankylosis using the Esmarch procedure and evaluate the efficacy of the conventional and modified Esmarch procedure. Materials and methods We have included six cases of recurrent temporomandibular joint reankylosis. Five cases were operated on using the conventional Esmarch procedure in which the osteotomy was done at the angle region, below the inferior alveolar nerve canal, and one case using the modified Esmarch procedure, wherein the osteotomy was done above the inferior alveolar nerve canal. The patients included in the case series presented with temporomandibular joint reankylosis and had undergone multiple surgeries for the release of ankylosis. Results Satisfactory postoperative mouth opening was achieved in all six patients. It was observed that in the modified Esmarch osteotomy, where the cuts were placed above the inferior alveolar nerve canal, there was a massive hemorrhage intraoperatively. This was primarily attributed to the altered anatomy of the maxillary artery, which was very close to the ankylotic mass. When the osteotomy was done below the inferior alveolar nerve canal, it was found that by this technique, the intraoperative hemorrhage was minimal, but it carries a risk of postoperative inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, which was managed conservatively. Conclusion With the abovementioned results, we proceeded with the conventional Esmarch procedure for five cases and the modified Esmarch procedure for one case. It was found that in temporomandibular joint reankylosis cases, where there is extensive ankylotic mass extending from the glenoid fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible, this Esmarch procedure provides promising results when the osteotomy cuts are placed below the nerve canal.

Bilateral supernumerary maxillary fourth and fifth molars: A clinical case report and literature review

Supernumerary teeth that are present in the molar region may be evident based on crowding and impaction, but most cases are asymptomatic and discovered as incidental findings during routine radiological examinations. This article reports the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with a severe feeling of pressure in the region of the maxillary third molars that had been increasing in intensity for weeks. A clinical examination revealed crowding of the maxillary anterior teeth despite the completion of orthodontic treatment and an erupted third molar with localized gingivitis in the second quadrant. A radiographic examination revealed bilateral supernumerary maxillary fourth and fifth molars, so cone-beam computed tomography was performed to locate the supernumerary teeth precisely for a preoperative diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning. This report presents the radiological and surgical case management of a rare case of bilateral supernumerary molars and reviews the literature regarding epidemiology and treatment options.

Characterization of the pterygomeningeal artery based on branching pattern and muscular distribution

PURPOSE

The pterygomeningeal (accessory meningeal) artery arises from the middle meningeal or maxillary artery. Although there is the potential that this artery may be wounded by the surgery for the temporomandibular joint disorder, the current state of anatomical knowledge is insufficient. This study investigated the appearance and the branching pattern of this artery as a means to its characterization.

METHODS

The pterygomeningeal artery was dissected in 14 cadavers and its branches and their distributions to the muscles inside the mandible were examined.

RESULTS

The maxillary artery passed lateral to the lateral pterygoid muscle. The pterygomeningeal artery arose from the middle meningeal or maxillary artery. It ascended anteriorly and coursed medial or lateral to the mandibular nerve. It passed above the pterygospinous ligament and then descended. The ascending trunk gave some lateral branches to the lateral pterygoid muscle. The branches sometimes passed lateral to the mandibular nerve even if the pterygomeningeal artery coursed medial. The descending trunk was divided into middle and medial branches, which supplied the medial pterygoid muscle and the tensor veli palatini, respectively. The pterygomeningeal artery was sometimes equally bifurcate near the origin, and the counterparts passed lateral and medial to the mandibular nerve. The distributions of the medial and lateral counterparts were equivalent to those of the descending trunk and the lateral branches, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The pterygomeningeal artery contains three groups of muscular branches, which sometimes appear in a bifurcate form. Their positions relative to the mandibular nerve and the pterygospinous ligament characterize the artery; this information may help to avoid iatrogenic injury.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in temporomandibular joint ankylosis - An evaluative study

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a pathologic condition where the mandible is fused to the fossa by bony or fibrotic tissues. Haemorrhage is one of the major complications during TMJ surgery especially in ankyloses due to altered anatomy. The aim of the study was to analyse the proximity of the vasculature to the TMJ region in TMJ ankylosis patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Materials and Methods:

Noncontrast-enhanced MRI images of seven patients were assessed. The distance between maxillary artery and neck of condyle/ankylotic mass was measured using coronal sections and distance between the internal carotid artery (ICA), internal jugular vein (IJV) and medial edge of condyle/bony mass were measured using axial sections.

Results:

The mean distance of internal maxillary artery (IMA) to medial edge of ankylotic mass was 1 ± 0.57 mm and 2 ± 1.2 mm-left and right condylar regions respectively (range: 0–4 mm).The mean distance from lateral aspect of ankylotic mass to IMA was 8.2 ± 1.4 mm and 8.7 ± 2.8 mm–right and left condylar regions respectively (range: 3–11 mm).The mean distance from medial edge of condyle to ICA was 18.8 ± 1.3 mm and 18.2 ± 1.1 mm-right and left condylar regions respectively (range: 17 mm–20 mm).The mean distance from the medial edge of condyle to IJV was 16.4 ± 1.1 mm and 14.5 ± 2.9 mm-right and left condylar regions (range: 11 mm–19 mm).

Discussion:

These measurements were used as a guide to plan the steps during surgery in order to minimise the intraoperative haemorrhagic complications. Hence, MRI may be considered as a valuable tool in assessing the juxtaposition of vascular bed to TMJ region, though contrast MRI and a larger sample is needed to standardise.