Heterotopic Bone Formation in the Temporomandibular Joint: Report of a Case

Background: Heterotopic bone formation is a pathological condition that bone forms in non-skeletal tissues. There are three recognized etiologies of heterotopic ossification: traumatic, neurogenic and genetic. This case report presents a case with heterotopic bone formation in temporomandibular joint due to traumatic injury. Patient Report: A 28-year-old male was referred to Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in Isfahan with a chief complaint of facial asymmetry, pain and limitation in mouth opening. He has experienced these problems for 3-months and He has trauma in childhood. Extraoral examinations demonstrated deviation into the left side of mandible. However unilateral cross-bite on the left side was evident. A radiopaque mass with a margin of cortical bone taken by computed tomography(CT) can be seen superomedial to the right mandibular condyle. Treatment was planned for surgically removing this mass. The result of the histopathological examination was normal cancellous and cortical bone suggesting heterotopic bone formation. 8-week postoperative follow-up of the patient revealed normal mouth opening and alleviation of the temporomandibular pain. Conclusion: Any direct or indirect trauma to the joint may alter the existing balance of temporomandibular joint and cause lead to problems suchas dislocation, internal de-arrangement, fibrous adhesion, ankylosis, fracture and limitation or deviation of jaw opening.

Keywords:

Temporomandibular Joint , Heterotopic Ossification , Computed Tomography