Occult fractures of articular eminence and glenoid fossa presenting as temporomandibular disorder: A case report

We report an unusual case of occult fractures of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa due to a previous traffic accident presenting as a temporomandibular disorder. A 24-year-old Japanese man was referred for trismus and pain in the right temporomandibular joint, and was suspected of having temporomandibular disorder. Although the magnetic resonance image did not show displacement of the articular disk, T2-weighted images revealed disruption of the cortical low-intensity line of the right articular eminence. On a computerized tomography (CT) scan, an isolated bone fragment of the right articular eminence was clearly seen, and fractures of the right glenoid fossa and articular eminence were noted. The patient was treated by instructing him not to open his mouth widely and to remain on a soft diet for 4 weeks. A CT examination performed 1 year after the treatment showed complete healing of the fracture in the right articular eminence and glenoid fossa.