TMJ Flashcards
common presentation of TMJ pain (socrates)
S = TMJ, MOM, ear
O = sudden or gradual
C = aching, deep +/- acute sharp flares
R = ear, angle of jaw, temple, teeth
A = parafunction, occlusal issues
T = continuous +/- acute flares
E
- chewing, yawning, prolonged mouth opening
- rest and analgesia can help
S = variable
give some differential diagnoses for TMJ pain (anatomical sieve, up to 6)
- dental = caries, cracked tooth
- sinus = sinusitis
- vascular = giant cell arteritis
- neuropathic = TN, TACs
- headache = tension, migraine
- malignancy
describe giant cell/temporal arteritis (what, age, s/s, management)
- vasculitic condition, medical emergency
- > 50yo
- unilateral
- jaw claudication, tenderness over temporal region, frequent severe headaches, vision issues (double, loss)
- may lead to blindness
- needs to go to A&E urgently for high dose corticosteroids (preserve vision)
how does trigeminal neuralgia pain usually present?
- paroxysmal unilateral lancinating pain with refractory periods
- affecting ≥1 dermatomes of trigeminal nerve
briefly describe the anatomy of the TMJ (3)
- temporal aspect = S shaped with articular eminence and glenoid fossa, covered with fibro-cartilage
– articular fossa deepens with age until adulthood - ellipsoid-shaped condyle connected to mandible by narrow neck
– convex rounded/flattened mediolateral surface with “poles” - biconcave fibrocartilage articular disc
what are the three movements of the condyle on mouth opening?
- hinge/rotation (up to 20mm)
- translation
- secondary rotation
how may the TMJ be imaged? (6)
bony:
- panoramic/DPT (open and closed views)
- CBCT
- facial bone views = PA condyles, reverse Townes, etc
- medical CT
- nuclear medicine (hyperplasia, tumours)
soft = MRI (US limited for TMD)
what are the pros and cons of using DPT to view TMJ? (3/5)
+:
- open and closed views (open less likely to show superimposition)
- simple
- tomographic (overcomes superimposition issues)
-:
- superimposition may prevent view of articular surface
- oblique view (not true lateral)
- lacks sharp detail
- normal DPT = protruded position
- cannot see soft tissue
what are the different types of disorders affecting the TMJ? (5)
- developmental = hypo/hyperplasia, bifid
- trauma, dislocation, fracture
- inflammatory or degenerative
- neoplastic
- TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction/myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome)
describe condylar hypoplasia (presentation, association, radiograph)
- unilateral with asymmetry
- commonly seen with hemifacial microsomia
radiograph: - small condyle, thin condylar neck with backward curvature
- antegonial notching of lower border of mandible (increased muscle activity)
describe hemifacial microsomia (what, s/s)
- developmental H&N anomaly
- decreased growth and development of face, typically unilateral
- first and second branchial arches (maxilla, mandible, zygoma, ear)
- shortened ramus, hypoplastic or rudimentary condyle, elongated coronoid
- facial asymmetry, malocclusion, delayed tooth eruption
describe condylar hyperplasia (what, demographic, s/s)
- unilateral, enlargement of head or elongated condylar neck
- condyle keeps growing after puberty (cartilage), self-limiting
- post-puberty, females
- mandibular asymmetry with posterior open bite
describe bifid condyle (aetiology, appearance)
- possibly developmental or traumatic
- asymptomatic incidental finding
- vertical depression/notch on condylar head
- may resemble tumour but has normal cortical outline and cancellous bone
give 3 developmental abnormalities of the condyle
- hypoplasia
- hyperplasia
- bifid condyle
what are the two traumatic disorders of the TMJ?
dislocation
fracture
describe dislocation injury of the TMJ (what, presentation, causes)
- displacement of condyle to a position anterior to the articular eminence but within the capsule, such that the mouth remains in the open position
- elongated facial appearance with notch just anterior to ear
- due to acute trauma (blow whilst mouth open) or yawning, mandibular XTNs, prolonged RCT
- chronic - neuromuscular imbalance, lax capsular ligaments, flat articular eminence
define dislocation injury of the TMJ
- displacement of condyle to a position anterior to the articular eminence but within the capsule
- such that the mouth remains in the open position
what may increase the risk of chronic TMJ dislocation? (3)
- neuromuscular imbalance
- lax capsular ligaments
- flat articular eminence
what type of fracture(s) is likely from a blow to the chin point?
bi or unilateral fracture
what type of fracture(s) is likely from a blow to the side of the mandible?
- fracture at point of impaction
- AND of opposite condylar neck (contrecoup fracture)
why are many condylar fractures “displaced”?
muscle pull (usually forward and medially by lateral pteryoid)
are intra or extracapsular TMJ fractures more common?
extracapsular (condylar neck is a weak point)