Uncommon tumors of temporomandibular joint: An institutional experience and review

Head Neck. 2020 Aug;42(8):1859-1873. doi: 10.1002/hed.26106. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Abstract

Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) harbors a myriad of pathologic alterations including arthritides and benign and malignant neoplasms.

Methods: Herein, we describe our institutional experience of some uncommon and unusual synovial pathologies of the TMJ along with a review of literature. We searched through the archives of department of pathology and institutional electronic medical record for specimens of TMJ between 1999 and 2019. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed and data (final diagnosis, age, gender, clinical presentation, tumor size, treatment modality, recurrence, and vital status) were collected.

Results: A total of seven cases were identified including four cases of synovial chrondromatosis; and one case each of tenosynovial giant cell tumor, localized type, tenosynovial giant cell tumor, diffuse type, and synovial sarcoma.

Conclusions: The article emphasizes on the clinical, radiologic, pathologic, and molecular features of these uncommon entities. The differential diagnosis of each entity is also discussed. Current updates in the management are also reviewed.

Keywords: pigmented villonodular synovitis; synovial chrondromatosis; synovial sarcoma; temporomandibular joint; tenosynovial giant cell tumor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath* / diagnostic imaging
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular*
  • Temporomandibular Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* / therapy