Rs. Brown et al., THE MISDIAGNOSIS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS IN LATERAL PHARYNGEALSPACE INFECTIONS - 2 CASE-REPORTS, Cranio, 12(3), 1994, pp. 194-198
Two cases of lateral pharyngeal space infections which were initially
misdiagnosed as temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are presented and di
scussed. Such symptomatology as chronic facial pain, trismus and decre
ased inter-incisal opening provide many viable different diagnoses. It
is important for the clinician to evaluate these different diagnoses
in a logical manner. Conservative therapy is advised in the initial tr
eatment of many TMDs, therefore other diagnoses with a greater potenti
al for morbidity should be ruled in or out before the diagnosis of TMD
is considered. The symptomatology of lateral space infections and the
relevance of this entity to clinical dentistry are discussed.