INTRA-ARTICULAR SYNOVIAL CHONDROMATOSIS: CLINICAL CASE REPORT

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign cartilaginous metaplasia that affects the joints, is uncommon in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and is difficult to diagnose because of its generally vague symptoms. In the present report we emphasize the importance of the correct diagnosis in a noncommon location. A male patient reported recurrent episodes of dislocation and pain in the left TMJ. In the clinical examination an oral opening limitation was observed, and tomographic sections showed hyperdense, circumscribed, well-defined area in the joint space, measuring approximately 2 mm. It was surgically removed, and the histologic slices revealed a hypocellular hyaline cartilage fragment whose gaps were filled by nonatypical chondrocytes. Therefore, the histopathologic study is essential to differentiate it from a chondrosarcoma. The patient is under follow-up and is without recurrences.