Fr. Carls et al., LOOSE BODIES IN THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT - THE ADVANTAGES OF ARTHROSCOPY, Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery, 23(4), 1995, pp. 215-221
Loose bodies are a rare cause of temporomandibular joint symptoms. The
ir main source is synovial chondromatosis. We report on clinical findi
ngs, diagnostic methods, treatment choices and outcome following the r
emoval of loose bodies in 10 patients. Seven patients were evaluated a
nd treated by means of arthroscopy, while in three patients open arthr
otomy was performed. In five patients, no diagnostic imaging technique
had demonstrated the presence of loose bodies prior to arthroscopy. I
n six patients, histology revealed synovial chondromatosis. In four pa
tients, osteochondral fragments alone were found. Until now, the recom
mended treatment of choice for the removal of all loose bodies and of
affected synovial tissue required open arthrotomy. We conclude that th
e advantages of arthroscopy consist in locating loose bodies that are
not detectable radiologically and in reducing operative trauma.