A Conservative Surgical Approach to Osteochondroma of the Temporomandibular Joint

Abstract

ÖZETOsteochondroma is an exophytic lesion that arises from the bone cortex and is capped with cartilage. Although osteochondromas are rare in the craniofacial area, the most affected areas are commonly coronoid process and condyle. The surgical treatment for an OC of the mandibular condyle has normally either been condylectomy or local excision with or without reconstruction. This paper describes a case of osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle in a 48-year-old woman who was referred with facial asymmetry, deviation of chin, cross-bite to the contralateral side and malocclusion. Panoramic radiographs and computerized tomographic scans of the patient confirmed the presence of a bony expansion of the left condyle. Based on clinical and radiographic evaluations, the clinical diagnosis was made as osteochondroma. High condylectomy procedure was planned for reshaping condylar head without additional reconstructive surgery. Condylectomy was performed using a preauricular approach with total removal of the lesion under general anesthesia. The healing was uneventful, and the patient was satisfied with appearance and occlusion in two years.