A Missed Case of Occult Bilateral Temporomandibular Dislocation Mistaken for Dystonia. (7th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Evelyn; Shoenberger, Jan; Wagner, Jonathan
• Other Names: Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in emergency medicine. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-09-07
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency Medicine; Emergency medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/753260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-648X

Abstract

Abstract : A 24-year-old male with a history of psychiatric disorder and no prior significant temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology presented to the emergency department for "lockjaw." Plain film X-rays of the mandible were read as unremarkable by an attending radiologist, leading to the initial diagnosis of medication-induced dystonic reaction. Following unsuccessful medical treatment a maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) was ordered. CT confirmed bilateral dislocation, illustrating the importance of clinical judgment, and limitations of certain radiographic images. The authors believe this case to be the first reported case in the medical literature of bilateral anterior TMJ dislocation with a false negative X-ray.