[Spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal]

Abstract

Objectives: We report a rare case of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal.

Material and methods: A 42-year-old woman consulted for recurrent right otalgia.

Results: The clinical examination revealed a white mass of the anterior wall of the bony external auditory canal, very close to the tympanic annulus, which was replaced by an invagination of the skin of the canal when the patient opened her mouth, consistent with temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal.

Conclusion: Inflammatory, malignant, and traumatic lesions are known as potential causes of temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal. Spontaneous herniations are much rare, and to the best of our knowledge this is the 15th case reported in the literature. This anomaly results from a patent foramen of Huschke. Main symptoms consist in otalgia and tinnitus. In half of the cases, they are minor and no treatment is necessary.