The Septic Arthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint in a 6-year-old Boy: A Case Report

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v21i1.16

Keywords:

Septic arthritis, temporomandibular joint, pediatric, ultrasound, CT, MRI

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon condition, particularly in pediatric patients. We present a case of a previously healthy 6-year-old boy who presented with septic arthritis of the TMJ with extra-articular involvement, which responded well to an extended course of intravenous antibiotic therapy, leading to complete resolution on follow-up imaging.

Author Biographies

  • Irena Ivković, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    MD, PhD, Otorhinolaryngology specialist

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

  • Martina Bukovac, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    MD, Radiology specialist

    Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

  • Marin Štefančić, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    MD, Radiology specialist

    Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

  • Andrijana Jović, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    MD, PhD, Neuroradiology specialist

    Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

References

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2) Omiunu A, Ariel A, et al. Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: a systematic review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;79(6):1214–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2021.01.004

3) Cai XY, Yang C, Zhang ZY, Qiu WL, Chen MJ, Zhang SY. Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: a retrospective review of 40 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2010;68(4):731–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2009.07.060

4) Cohen Atsmoni S, Hennedige A, Richardson D, De S. Pediatric temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, an elusive complication of acute mastoiditis. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jul;158:111163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111163

5) Oliveira J, Mesquita M, Correia S, et al. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment in septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: a case report. Cureus. 2024;16(7):e64480. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.64480

6) Castellazzi ML, Senatore L, Di Pietro G, Pinzani R, Torretta S, Coro I, et al. Otogenic temporomandibular septic arthritis in a child: a case report and a review of the literature. Ital J Pediatr. 2019;45(1):88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-019-0682-2

7) Gayle EA, Young SM, McKenna SJ, McNaughton CD. Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: case reports and review of the literature. J Emerg Med. 2013;45(5):674–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.01.034

8) Araidy S, Maalouf N, Front E, Abu El-Naaj I. Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint–a case report and review of the literature. Front Oral Health. 2025; 5:1496094. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2024.1496094

Cover_image_Septic_arthritis_of_the_temporomandibular_joint_in_a_6-year-old_boy

Published

2025-07-31

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

How to Cite

The Septic Arthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint in a 6-year-old Boy: A Case Report. (2025). Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 21(1), 12-18. https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v21i1.16

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