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Case Reports
. 2013 Oct;39(5):242-5.
doi: 10.5125/jkaoms.2013.39.5.242. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Surgical extraction of mandibular third molar in pterygomandibular space: a case report

Young-Kyu Lee  1 , Sung-Soo Park  2 , Hoon Myoung  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Surgical extraction of mandibular third molar in pterygomandibular space: a case report

Young-Kyu Lee et al. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Impacted mandibular third molars are located between the second mandibular molar and mandibular ramus. However, ectopic mandibular third molars with heterotopic positions are reported in the subcondylar or pterygomandibular space. The usual cause of malposition is a cyst or tumor, and malposition without a pathology is rare. This case report described an impacted mandibular third molar in the pterygomandibular space without any associated pathology.

Keywords: Pterygomandibular space; Third molar.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Panoramic view of ectopic mandibular third molar in the right ascending ramus of the mandible.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Axial image (A) and coronal image (B) of computed tomography (CT). CT scans show that the mandibular third molar is located in the pterygomandibular space. The sclerotic change of the mandible around the mandibular third molar is consistent with chronic infection.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A. Intraoperative view of the ostectomy site in the medial aspect of the ascending ramus of the mandible. B. Removed ectopic mandibular third molar whose crown was blackened.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Postoperative panoramic radiograph showing the removal of the ectopic third molar in the pterygomandibular space.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Histopathologic imaging (H&E, ×200).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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