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Case Reports
. 2016 Oct 20:25:100.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.25.100.7943. eCollection 2016.

Bilateral septic arthritis of the temporo mandibular joint: case report

Samia Ayachi  1 , Zouha Mziou  1 , Ramzi Moatemri  1 , Habib Khochtali  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Bilateral septic arthritis of the temporo mandibular joint: case report

Samia Ayachi et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare disease that has been reported infrequently. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one case of bilateral TMJ septic arthritis has been reported. The contamination may result from direct extension of adjacent infection (dental or ENT), from hematogenous spread of blood-borne organisms or from direct inoculation. The most common presenting are trismus and pain, although swelling, tenderness and erythema have also been described. In addition, patients may develop fever, regional lymphadenopathy and malocclusion. Through a successively bilateral case of TMJ arthritis, without obvious portal of entry of the bacteria, we will analyze characteristics and treatment of this disease.

Keywords: Septic arthritis; adult; infection; temporo-mandibular joint.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mild preauricular swelling on the right side
Figure 2
Figure 2
Maximum mouth opening of 10 mm
Figure 3
Figure 3
Orthopantomogram showing pinching space of the right TMJ
Figure 4
Figure 4
A) CT scan revealing osteolysis of the right mandibular condyle; B) two abscesses in the right infratemporal fossa
Figure 5
Figure 5
Peroperative view showing abcesses (arrow)
Figure 6
Figure 6
A) CT scan, 1 year later, showing osteolysis of the left condyle; B) without reactivation in the other side and abcesses in soft tissue
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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