Bilateral temporomandibular joint dislocation following pulmonary function testing: a case report and review of closed reduction techniques

Evaluation of congruency of condyle convexity and fossa concavity and interrelationship bony components in temporomandibular joint anterior dislocation

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the congruency of surface geometry of the articulating bones and morphologic differences in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structure, between patients with TMJ anterior dislocation and healthy controls.

METHODS

The study included 15 patients with TMJ anterior dislocation and 15 controls who underwent cone-beam computed tomography. The surface angle of the articular fossa (fossa-concavity) and condyle (condyle-convexity) and joint spaces were measured from both sagittal and coronal views. The articular eminence morphology and horizontal condyle position were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Coronal fossa angles were significantly lower in controls than in patients (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between coronal condyle and fossa angle values in controls and in patients' joints (p < 0.05), however, the fossa-condylar congruence was higher in controls than in patients. Superior joint space was significantly higher in controls than in patients (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in articular eminence measurements, mean condyle angle variables and condyle position between the patients and controls (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study which include lower joint congruency, higher fossa concavity and superior joint space distance in patients with anterior dislocation may be related to the inferior positioning of the condyle away from the fossa and potentially the elongation of the capsular ligament.

Temporomandibular joint dislocation: a retrospective study from a Swiss urban emergency department

Purpose

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an uncommon and debilitating condition of the facial skeleton. The condition may be traumatic or nontraumatic, in an acute or chronic form, and with bilateral or monolateral expression.

Patients and methods

In this study, conducted from May 2012 to July 2016, we retrospectively analyzed TMJ dislocations treated in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, by focusing on the following parameters: age, gender, reason, localization, frequency, and therapy.

Results

Thirty-two patients were included. The mean age was 42.06 years and there was no predominant gender. Most cases of TMJ dislocation were nontraumatic (93.7%). Dislocations were mostly bilateral (59.4%) and appeared in a chronic situation and with repetitive events (62.5%). Thirty-one patients received conservative treatment, which consists of reposition of the TMJ with (38.7%) or without (61.3%) analgosedation. Only one patient needed surgical reposition due to previous surgical treatment.

Conclusion

This is the first attempt to evaluate TMJ dislocations in Switzerland in an acute hospital setting. To our knowledge, there are no other studies that systematically analyze these injuries by focusing on the patients’ characteristics. Surgical reposition is only indicated in complicated and very rare situations. Conservative approaches are commonly used and should be exhausted before any surgery.

Delayed Management of Unrecognized Bilateral Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is a common occurrence, but diagnosis can be missed if patients do not complain. Delayed presentation complicates the management of a straightforward reduction. We present a case of a 24-year-old man who had bilateral TMJ dislocation of unknown duration after motor vehicle accident. The accident left him bedridden with speech difficulty. He was totally dependent on Ryles' and percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy tubes for feeding. Computed tomography revealed dislocation of condyles anterior to articular eminences. The bilateral TMJ dislocations were reduced surgically via bicoronal with preauricular extension approaches. However, the surgery was challenging due to tissue changes around the joint accompanied by masticatory muscles atrophy. Postoperatively, he was placed on intermaxillary fixation for 2 weeks followed by elastics training. Three months later, the patient's mastication returned completely to function. Delayed management of bilateral TMJ dislocation is undoubtedly challenging and somewhat frustrating; nevertheless, we manage to achieve satisfactory outcome in improving the patient's quality of life.

Dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint and Relocation Procedures

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation requires prompt medical attention due to the crucial impact of airway, nutrition acquisition, and communication. Recognition of this injury by the practitioner, based on clinical presentation and history, is paramount for identification of accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of TMJ dislocation. Relocation or reduction methods vary on the basis of the severity of the injury and whether it is an acute or chronic dislocation.

Bilateral temporomandibular joint dislocation in a 26-month-old child: A rare emergency

Bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is very rare in children with only three cases previously reported in the literature. We report a case of a 26-month-old female child who presented to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with complaints of inability to close her mouth and drooling of saliva for the last two hours. Clinical examination and X-ray of the TMJ revealed bilateral TMJ dislocation. Bilateral TMJ reduction was achieved with the Hippocratic method after giving analgesia and procedural sedation. The child was able to close her mouth post-reduction, and was discharged with post-TMJ reduction instructions given to the mother and with maxillofacial clinic follow up. Our report is the first case of a child presenting to the emergency department with bilateral TMJ dislocation.

Temporomandibular joint dislocation: experiences from Zaria, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint may occur for various reasons. Although different invasive methods have been advocated for its treatment, this study highlights the value of non-invasive treatment options even in chronic cases in a resource-poor environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A seven-year retrospective analysis of all patients managed for temporomandibular joint dislocation in our department was undertaken. Patient demographics, risk factors associated with temporomandibular joint dislocation and treatment modalities were retrieved from patient records.

RESULTS

In all, 26 patients were managed over a seven-year period. Males accounted for 62% of the patients, and yawning was the most frequent etiological factor. Conservative treatment methods were used successfully in 86.4% of the patients managed. Two (66.7%) of the three patients who needed surgical treatment developed complications, while only one (5.3%) patient who was managed conservatively developed complications.

CONCLUSION

Temporomandibular joint dislocation appears to be associated with male sex, middle age, yawning, and low socio-economic status, although these observed relationships were not statistically significant. Non-invasive methods remain an effective treatment option in this environment in view of the low socio-economic status of the patients affected.

Evaluation of the mechanism and principles of management of temporomandibular joint dislocation. Systematic review of literature and a proposed new classification of temporomandibular joint dislocation

BACKGROUND

Virtually all the articles in literature addressed only a specific type of dislocation. The aim of this review was to project a comprehensive understanding of the pathologic processes and management of all types of dislodgement of the head of the mandibular condyle from its normal position in the glenoid fossa. In addition, a new classification of temporomandibular joint dislocation was also proposed.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

A thorough computer literature search was done using the Medline, Cochrane library and Embase database. Key words like temporo-mandibular joint dislocation were used for the search. Additional manual search was done by going through published home-based and foreign articles. Case reports/series, and original articles that documented the type of dislocation, number of cases treated in the series and original articles. Treatment done and outcome of treatment were included in the study.

RESULT

A total of 128 articles were reviewed out which 79 were found relevant. Of these, 26 were case reports, 17 were case series and 36 were original articles. 79 cases were acute dislocations, 35 cases were chronic protracted TMJ dislocations and 311 cases were chronic recurrent TMJ dislocations. Etiology was predominantly trauma in 60% of cases and other causes contributed about 40%. Of all the cases reviewed, only 4 were unilateral dislocation. Various treatment modalities are outlined in this report as indicated for each type of dislocation.

CONCLUSION

The more complex and invasive method of treatment may not necessarily offer the best option and outcome of treatment, therefore conservative approaches should be exhausted and utilized appropriately before adopting the more invasive surgical techniques.