1/3. Chronic dental infections mimicking temporomandibular disorders.BACKGROUND: trismus and jaw pain are not only caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but also by various pathologies, namely infection, trauma, or neoplasms. TMD-like symptoms, as a result of the pathologies, may be confusing to a clinician. This paper reports two cases of chronic dental infection mimicking TMD. methods: Two patients were initially diagnosed with, and treated for, TMD. However the patients did not respond to the treatment. Limited range of motion and jaw pain were then clinically evaluated for differential diagnoses. Laboratory examinations and computerized tomography (CT) scans were carried out to disclose any underlying lesion. RESULTS: Laboratory examination, such as, c-reactive protein helped to detect latent infection. CT scans revealed insidious chronic dental infection imitating TMD. Surgical drainage and chemotherapy resolved the symptoms. CONCLUSION: The importance of a rational diagnostic process, including clinical and laboratory examinations and radiologic imaging, cannot be over-emphasized in elucidating true cause of the symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. trismus and carcinoma of the tonsil.carcinoma of the tonsil is the second most common neoplasm of the upper respiratory tract and a sore throat is the most frequent initial symptom. trismus, which may be an accompanying sign, is only rarely the only presenting symptom. A case is presented.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. temporomandibular joint dysfunction and facial pain caused by neoplasms. Report of three cases.The most frequent causes of painful limitation of temporomandibular joint function are myofascial pain dysfunction or anterior disk displacement. A potential problem in dealing with those patients is the risk of misdiagnosing the rare patient who has a neoplastic disease, primary or metastatic to the epipharyngeal region, parotid gland, jaws, or temporomandibular joint. Three cases are presented in which progressively worsening limitation of mandibular movement and increasing pain led to the diagnosis of a neoplasm in the temporomandibular joint region. The article illustrates the necessity of performing a thorough clinical and radiographic examination.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |