Temporal mandibular joint chondrocalcinosis (tophaceous pseudogout) diagnosed by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

Tophaceous pseudogout is a calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal (CPPD) deposition disease that frequently affects elderly patient in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A diagnosis of CPPD deposition disease in the TMJ is challenging due to its mimicking of other benign and malignant entities. Surgical exploration followed by histologic examination is by far the most frequently used diagnostic modality. We present a case of an 87-year-old female who presented with a right TMJ mass. A final diagnosis of tophaceous pseudogout was made on cellular material obtained by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-guided FNA). Based on our case and current available literature, ultrasound-guided FNA is a reliable tool for diagnosing tophaceous pseudogout of the TMJ.

A case of tophaceous pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint extending to the base of the skull

A case of tophaceous pseudogout (i.e., calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), extending to the base of the skull, is reported. A 38-year-old man was referred to the hospital with mild pain in the right chin and tip of the tongue. Panoramic radiography showed a large calcified mass around the right TMJ. Computed tomography imaging revealed a large, granular, calcified mass surrounding the right condylar head and extending to the base of the skull. The mass was clinically and radiographically suspected to be a pseudogout lesion. A biopsy specimen was collected under general anaesthesia to confirm the diagnosis. On histology, the mass was found to contain deposits of numerous rod-shaped and rhomboid crystals, which suggested tophaceous pseudogout. The deposits were identified as CPPD crystal deposition, based on analysis by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. These two crystallography methods were useful in confirming the diagnosis of CPPD crystal deposition disease in the TMJ.

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPDD, tophaceous pseudogout) is a rare crystal arthropathy characterized by calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition in joint spaces, episodes of synovitis, and radiological features of chondrocalcinosis. We present a case of 61-year-old woman who presented with left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, difficulty chewing, left facial numbness, left-sided hearing loss, and left TMJ swelling. Imaging of the temporal fossa revealed a large mass emanating from the temporal bone at the TMJ, extending into the greater wing of the sphenoid and involving the mastoid bone and air cells posteriorly. Fine needle aspiration demonstrated polarizable crystals with giant cells. Intraoperatively, the TMJ was completely eroded by the mass. Final pathology was consistent with tophaceous pseudogout. CPDD has rarely been reported involving the skull base. None of the cases originally described by McCarty had TMJ pseudogout. Symptoms are generally pain, swelling, and hearing loss. Management is nearly always surgical with many patients achieving symptomatic relief with resection. CPDD is associated with many medical problems (including renal failure, gout, and hyperparathyroidism), but our patient had none of these risk factors. This case demonstrates that CPDD can involve the skull base and is best treated with skull base surgical techniques.