Ankylosing spondylitis associated with bilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and laboratory features, treatments, and prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA).

Methods: A PubMed search was conducted from 1966 to date, and the references of published studies were also checked to identify additional cases. Information from these reports and our report were compared and analyzed.

Results: Published literature in the past 36 years, which included 8 cases, were reviewed. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis of AS and bilateral TMJA was 21.00 (6.35) and 32.50 (13.43) years, respectively. Ankylosis of cervical vertebra was described in all patients. Total alloplastic joints and artificial condyle replacements were also reported in recent years. The slices of ankylotic mass showed the marrow was infiltrated by eosinophilic granulocytes.

Conclusion: Evaluating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function is strongly recommended in patients who have a long history of AS, particularly in cases involving cervical vertebrae disease.