Ganglion cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are uncommon periarticular lesions and may be diagnostically challenging because symptoms are often nonspecific. When these lesions arise posterior to the joint, they can produce otologic complaints through dynamic narrowing of the external auditory canal (EAC)....
Consider jaw-joint (TMJ) ganglion cysts in the differential for position-dependent conductive hearing loss; imaging of the TMJ region is warranted when standard ear-canal causes are excluded.
Position-dependent conductive hearing loss is a rare presentation that can be missed without awareness of extracanalicular causes such as TMJ ganglion cysts.
- 01TMJ ganglion cyst can physically block the ear canal and cause hearing loss that changes with head position.
- 02Dynamic obstruction means the blockage comes and goes, making diagnosis harder than a fixed obstruction.
- 03Case report is accompanied by a literature review to contextualise prior similar cases.
- 04Imaging of the TMJ region is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- 05Surgical removal of the cyst is typically curative.
A TMJ ganglion cyst can cause dynamic external auditory canal obstruction and position-dependent hearing loss.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42195394
- DOI
- 10.3390/life16050839.
- Journal
- Life
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Individual patient with a TMJ ganglion cyst causing external auditory canal obstruction
- Intervention
- Diagnosis and surgical management of TMJ ganglion cyst causing dynamic ear canal obstruction
Primary outcomes
Resolution of external auditory canal obstruction; Recovery of hearing following cyst removal