Extensive Temporal Bone Pneumatization: Incidental Finding in a Patient with TMJ Dysfunction

From Volume 27, Issue 4, May 2000 | Pages 187-189

Authors

Murtuza Hasnaini

BDS, MFDS RCS(Eng.)

Senior House Officer in Paediatric Dentistry, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London

Articles by Murtuza Hasnaini

Suk Yee Ng

PhD, BDS, BSc, FDS RCS (Eng.), DDR RCR

Senior Lecturer in Oral Radiology, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London

Articles by Suk Yee Ng

Abstract

An 18-year-old male presented with symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. A panoramic radiograph revealed slight erosion of the condylar heads, and an incidental finding of multilocular radiolucencies in the zygomatic processes of the right and left temporal bones. CT scans were undertaken to exclude any sinister cause. The radiolucencies were shown to be extensive bilateral pneumatization of the temporal bones. Conservative management relieved the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.

Article