Published in:
01-09-2012 | original article
Computed tomography analysis of hyoid apparatus in temporomandibular joint ankylosis
Preliminary report of a retrospective pilot study
Published in: international journal of stomatology & occlusion medicine | Issue 3/2012
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis exerts an influence on the anatomical position of the hyoid and suprahyoid musculature and the laryngeal inlet, which may have implications during general anesthesia and corrective surgery for such patients. This study was conducted to determine the position of the hyoid and laryngeal inlet in patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis on computed tomography scans.
Methods
This was a retrospective study conducted to assess the anatomical position of the hyoid and suprahyoid musculature and the laryngeal inlet in cases of TMJ ankylosis confirmed by radiology.
Results
The degree of deformity seemed to vary with each patient. In this study, the age of onset was varied, therefore the normal and abnormal sides of the same patient were compared rather than an inter-patient evaluation. An important finding in this study was the correlation of age and the degree of deformity. The degree of deformity appeared to depend on the age of occurrence of TMJ ankylosis as confirmed by the coefficient of correlation (r = − 0.88).
Conclusions
Based on the results it can be concluded that younger patients with early ankylosis during the growth phase will have a more severe resultant deformity. Knowledge of the rotated hyoid apparatus and the laryngeal inlet in TMJ ankylosis would be of great importance to anesthetists and surgeons involved in the care of these patients.