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Acute septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint derived from otitis media: a report and review of the English and Japanese literature

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Abstract

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (SATMJ) is an extremely rare disease with characteristic features of preauricular pain, swelling, redness, and malocclusion. The present report describes a case of SATMJ derived from otitis media, which resulted in a good outcome. We also reviewed the English and Japanese literature with special interest in etiology. It is generally agreed that contiguous or distant infection and trauma are common etiological factors of SATMJ. So far, these etiological factors are mainly discussed based on hypotheses rather than sufficient evidence. Therefore, in many past cases, accurate causes were not identified. To our knowledge, our case is the third report of SATMJ following otitis media. In addition, this is the first case in which the pathogenic bacterium responsible for the otitis media was the definite cause of the SATMJ. Cases of SATMJ are sometimes misdiagnosed with otitis media, and SATMJ derived from otitis media is extremely rare. Dentists and otolaryngologists should collaborate for the management of this disease as needed.

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Correspondence to Shigeo Ishikawa.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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SI, TW, and MI performed the treatment. All authors reviewed, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from the individual participant included in the study.

The manuscript has not been submitted to more than one journal for simultaneous consideration

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Ishikawa, S., Watanabe, T. & Iino, M. Acute septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint derived from otitis media: a report and review of the English and Japanese literature. Oral Maxillofac Surg 21, 83–85 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-016-0604-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-016-0604-z

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