Mixed connective tissue disease with temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A case report

Abstract

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder, which can affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The literature on TMJ dysfunction in patients with MCTD is however sparse. This is a case report of a 35-year old woman with MCTD, who presented with severe pain from the temporomandibular region. She had a disc-derangement and intra-articular erosions of her left TMJ and developed a fibrous ankylosis of her right TMJ. The conditions led to arthroplasty with interposition of a temporalis muscle flap (TMF) bilaterally. Follow-up showed re-establishment of the cortical borders of the condyles and glenoid fossae and a pain free craniomandibular articulation within a normal range of motion. This is to our knowledge the first report on TMJ ankylosis and arthroplasty with the interposition of TMFs in a patient with MCTD. The report describes the clinical progression, the surgical intervention and presents a narrative review of the literature. Keywords: Mixed connective tissue disease, Temporomandibular joint, Ankylosis, Arthroplasty, Temporalis muscle flap