Arthrite septique temporomandibulaire de l’enfant

Objective

To report a clinical case of acute otitis media in a child, complicated by septic temporomandibular arthritis and to present a review of the literature.

Patient and methods

We report a case of a 7-year-old boy who presented an altered general condition, major hyperthermia, associated with a left temporozygomatic mass in a context of recurrent bilateral acute otitis media lasting for 2 months. Emergency computed tomodensitometry (CT scan) showed left temporomandibular joint arthritis. Treatment consisted of a parenteral double antibiotic therapy and prevention of temporomandibula (TM) ankylosis.

Results

After 20 months of follow-up, the child showed a normal ORL examination with no maxillofacial sequelae.

Conclusion

All temporozygomatic masses presenting in a septic context should suggest the diagnosis of TM arthritis; computed tomodensitometry should be done immediately.