Tophaceous pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint: A series of 3 cases

Rafik A. Abdelsayed, Nasser Said-Al-Naief, Martin Salguerio, Jon Holmes, Samir K. El-Mofty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective We report a series of 3 cases of tophaceous pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Study design Three patients, two men and one woman, ranging in age between 60 and 75 years, presented with unilateral painful swelling of the TMJ area associated with limitation of mouth opening. Results Radiographic and computed tomographic images showed opaque masses in the supracondylar region of the TMJ. The preoperative clinical impression was a "neoplastic lesion" in the 3 cases. Microscopic examination revealed numerous deeply basophilic masses of calcified deposits, exhibiting birefringence under polarized light and morphologically consistent with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition, referred to in these cases as "tophaceous pseudogout." Conclusion Tophaceous pseudogout is a rare benign arthropathy that presents with clinical and radiographic features mimicking neoplastic conditions of the TMJ. Therefore, it is recommended that tophaceous pseudogout be considered in the differential diagnosis when a TMJ is involved with "neoplasm-like" lesions clinically and radiographically.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)369-375
Number of pages7
JournalOral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology
Volume117
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oral Surgery
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Dentistry (miscellaneous)
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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