Journal of Medical Case Reports (Nov 2017)

Metastasis in the mandibular condyle: a case report

  • Mina Dodo,
  • Masahiro Kumagai,
  • Yuta Kato,
  • Hisashi Hirakawa,
  • Takeyoshi Koseki

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-017-1450-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 4

Abstract

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Abstract Background Most bone metastases are observed in the trunk of the body. Metastasis in the mandibular condyle is rare. In many case reports, temporary common temporomandibular joint disorder-like symptoms can be a sign of relapse and metastasis. Case presentation We report a rare case of breast carcinoma metastatic to the left mandibular condyle in a 55-year-old Japanese woman, who visited our department for a dental check-up prior to chemotherapy. She had almost no symptoms, but radiographs suggested the existence of metastasis. Conclusions In many case reports, patients had some symptoms. In this case report, our patient had slight symptoms, but we were able to confirm the metastasis from the symptoms and panoramic dental radiograph. When patients complain about discomfort of the temporomandibular joint, we need to consider the possibility of metastasis and notice changes on the panoramic dental radiograph.

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