Synovial Chondromatosis of the Left Temporomandibular Joint Superficially Resembling Chondrosarcoma: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

A 25 year-old woman was referred to the clinic complaining of pain in the left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and trismus. According to the x-ray images, a solitary mass was observed in the anterior pouch of the lower joint cavity. The mass was removed by means of a synovectomy and a diskectomy. Upon light microscopic examination, the tissue removed showed high cellular activity. As a differential diagnosis, we had to consider the possibility of chondrosarcoma based on the histopathological features; however, since no invasive nor metastatic finding was recognized, we made a diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis despite its rare existence. Although there has been no sign of recurrence at present, we plan to carefully follow up with the patient.

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Notes on contributors

Tomoaki Shibuya

Dr. Tomoaki Shibuya is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He received his D.D.S. degree from Kyusyu Dental College in Kokura, Japan, in 1991 and after graduate school was certified in 1997. He received his Ph.D. degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University for study of porcine proteoglycan relevant to structure and function of the temporomandibular joint. Dr. Shibuya has written articles for several professional journals of TMD and has done basic and clinical investigation on the human TMJ.

Koji Kino

Dr. Koji Kino received his D.D.S degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Tokyo, Japan, in 1976. He advanced to the Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 1976, and was certified in 1980. He received his Ph.D. degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University for the anatomy of human TMJ. Dr. Kino is a associate professor in the Temporomandibular Joint Clinic at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Faculty of Dentistry. He has published a number of articles, book chapters, and abstracts dealing with TMD.

Norihiko Okada

Dr. Norihoko Okada is an associate professor in the Clinical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. He received his D.D.S. degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan in 1971. He advanced to the Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, in 1971, and was certified in 1975. He has written articles for several professional journals. Dr. Okada has published a number of articles, books, chapters and abstracts concerning Oral Pathology.

Teruo Amagasa

Dr. Teruo Amagasa is a professor and chairman in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Function, Division of Maxillofacial and Neck Reconstruction, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. He received his D.D.S. degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan in 1970. He advanced to the Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, in 1970, and was certified in 1974. Dr. Amagasa has published a number of article, book chapters, and abstracts dealing with Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.