Pathologies of the TMJ

More than 90 percent of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases can be treated with conservative methods. However, surgical intervention is required in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors located in the TMJ region. The need for reconstruction is observed less frequently in the treatment of small benign tumors. On the other hand, autogenous bone or alloplastic total joint prostheses can be used in the reconstruction of the TMJ for the aggressive benign tumors or malignant tumors. The need for radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may arise in the treatment of malignant tumors, depending on the stage of the tumor. Although it is known that tumors in TMJ are quite rare, relatively common TMJ tumors will be discussed in this chapter. Osteoma, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, chondroma, osteochondroma, chondroblastoma, giant cell lesions, nonossifying fibroma, lipoma, hemangioma, tenosynovial giant cell tumors, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis are evaluated as benign tumors of the TMJ. Synovial chondromatosis, traumatic bone cyst, and aneurysmal bone cyst are reviewed as pseudotumors of the TMJ. Malignant tumors are also involved in the chapter as mainly sarcomas. Metastatic tumors and multiple myeloma are also evaluated. TMJ tumors can be misdiagnosed as they may show similar symptoms with different diseases of the TMJ. Therefore, the aim of this section is to refresh clinicians’ knowledge about TMJ tumors in the light of latest scientific studies.