Mandibular coronoid process hyperplasia: a case report

ABSTRACT

Coronoid Process Hyperplasia is a rare condition characterized by the increase in size of a histologically normal bone. It can be confused with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, due to the presence of major signs/symptoms, including the limitation of mouth opening, pain, and facial asymmetry. Although several theories have been proposed, the etiology remains unknown. The recommended treatment is mandibular coronoidectomy. In the present study, the importance of computed tomography to reach the proper diagnosis and the surgical treatment plan is demonstrated.

Keywords:
Hyperplasia; Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome; Tomography

RESUMO

A hiperplasia do processo coronóide é uma condição rara caracterizada pelo aumento de tamanho de um osso histologicamente normal. É comumente confundida com a Disfunção da Articulação Temporomandibular por apresentar como principais sinais/ sintomas a limitação da abertura bucal, dor e assimetria facial. Sua etiologia ainda é desconhecida e várias teorias têm sido propostas. O tratamento de escolha é a coronoidectomia mandibular. Nesse trabalho a proposta é demonstrar a importância da tomografia computadorizada para o diagnóstico e para o plano de tratamento cirúrgico.

Descritores:
Hiperplasia; Síndrome da Disfunção da Articulação Temporomandibular; Tomografia

Introduction

Mandibular coronoid process is an anterior eminence of the mandibular ramus, where the temporal muscle is connected. The temporal muscle is a muscle of mastication, covered by very dense fascia, whose fibers are laid out in three directions (anterior, medium, and posterior) - in a fan shape. This process originates on the temporal fossa floor and is connected to the medial face of the mandibular coronoid process, from the temporal crest to the surroundings of the retromolar trigone. The temporal muscle is considered to be a muscle more related to movement than to masticatory force and is responsible for mandible elevation and retraction^1-3.

Hyperplasia of the mandibular coronoid process (HCP) is a rare condition, which is characterized by cell growth of a histologically normal bone, and whose symptoms increase gradually⁴.The most frequently reported symptoms are pain and limited mouth opening⁵. Elongated coronoid processes affect the medial surfaces of zygomatic arches at the mouth opening, which limit mandible movement and lead to trismus⁶. The etiology of HCP is still unknown, but it has been associated with endocrine conditions, temporal muscle hyperactivity, traumas, articular disc displacement without reduction, and genetic heritage⁷.

The main dysfunctions mistaken for HCP are Jacob's Disease and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD). The first is characterized by the joint between the coronoid process and the jawbone, accompanied by cartilaginous structures and the formation of a synovial capsule⁸. The latter is characterized by any alterations that affect masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and adjacent structures⁹.

HCP usually begins during the second decade of life, but the majority of patients only seek the counsel of a specialized professional after several years, when the anomaly begins to affect their quality of life. Furthermore, its symptoms are common to several other conditions, such as TMD, trismus, and other tumoral alterations of the coronoid process. An HCP diagnosis is seldom taken into consideration¹⁰. Therefore, the importance of complementary image exams to assist in reaching a correct diagnosis is evident, particularly in the relation between the abnormal coronoid process and the zygomatic arch, given that it is the most frequent case of mandibular hypomobility. HCP more commonly affects males, and it may be unilateral or bilateral¹⁰. In unilateral cases, the most frequently reported sign is facial asymmetry. The treatment of choice is the total or partial removal of the affected coronoid process(es) on the zygomatic arch through plastic surgery, if required. In addition, postoperative physical therapy is recommended after surgery^9-14. Physical therapy is very important to obtain good results after the coronoidectomy and includes several therapeutic techniques involving spatula, wedge and the TheraBite Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System¹⁵.

Diagnosing HCP is quite difficult due to the similarities between its signs and symptoms and other disorders or conditions. Therefore, this work, through a case report and literature review, intended to demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy obtained with computed tomography (CT) scans, as well as their relevance for surgical treatment and planning, which enable an early diagnosis and minimize possible complications for the patient.

Case Report

The present project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the Minas Gerais Pontifícia Universidade Católica, generating the report number: 2.082.506 and the CAAE protocol number: 67203717.2.0000.5137.

A female patient, L.S.M., light-skinned black, 14 years of age, sought medical care at a Radiology Clinic to undergo a CT scan of the TMJ. The scan had been requested by a dentist to complement the diagnosis of TMD. In the visual exam, no facial asymmetry was detected. The patient reported a history of gradual increase in pain and limited mouth opening.

After completion of the CT scan, no TMJ alterations were found, but mandibular coronoid process hyperplasia on the right side towards the anterior and lateral sides could be identified. Hyperplasia caused the zygomatic arch and the zygomatic bone on the right side to expand and become thinner (Figures 1 to 5).

Figure 1:
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Computed Tomography (CT) scans on the right-mouth closed, showing hyperplasia of the coronoid process

Figure 2:
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) tomography of the left side-closed mouth, showing the normal coronoid process

Figure 3:
Coronal cuts showing unilateral hyperplasia of the coronoid process of the jaw

Figure 4:
Three-dimensional computed tomography of the right and left sides

Figure 5:
Three-dimensional computed tomography showing the non-anatomical contact of the coronoid process with zygomatic arch

Results

After having completed the diagnosis, associated with the patient's complaint, the patient was referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who, then, performed the plastic surgery procedure on the hyperplastic coronoid process. After surgery, the patient was instructed to seek speech therapy for functional rehabilitation.

Discussion

HCP is characterized by the growth of mature bone tissue, with no consensual casuistry. Furthermore, because the patient exhibited signs and symptoms that are common to several diseases, a simple clinical assessment is not sufficient for an appropriate diagnosis, considering that the majority of professionals are unable to identify such an alteration^10,16.

HCP is a rare condition and, since the first case described by Langenbeck in 1853,¹¹ few new cases have been reported in the literature. Moreover, because its symptoms are similar to those of TMD, it is often incorrectly diagnosed. Therefore, the CT scan is clearly an exam capable of reaching the proper diagnosis and of evaluating size, shape, and relation between the coronoid process and the zygomatic arch, which is mostly used to determine the correct surgical treatment^10,16-18. Similarly to what happened in the case reported above, in which the dentist suspected TMD, through a CT scan, it was possible to establish an accurate diagnosis and relation between the coronoid process and adjacent structures, mainly for the subsequent surgical procedure.

Several theories have been suggested to explain the etiology of HCP^7,10,19,20, but these are not always identified. This fact is also demonstrated in the case in question, in which the etiology could not be fully clarified. It was only possible to identify that the process embedded itself slowly and gradually, which is in agreement with prior case studies^16,21,22.

Rowe (1963)²³ defends the hypothesis that hormonal disorders that take place during adolescence may be related to the etiology of HCP; however, there is no biological evidence of such theory.

HCP is associated with a progressive and painful limitation of the mouth opening, especially in lateral and protrusion movements, which may be restricted due to the contact between the coronoid process and the zygomatic arch^24,25. In most cases, the panoramic x-ray enables one to view the increased coronoid process. Nevertheless, CT scans will more precisely demonstrate the contact between both structures and will guide the surgeon during the coronoidectomy procedure, the treatment of choice for most cases reports associated with painful symptoms, followed by postoperative orofacial myofunctional therapy¹⁵.

CT with three-dimensional reconstruction is essential to differentiate coronoid process hyperplasia from other conditions, such as ankylosis, neoplastic coronoid (chondroma or osteochondroma), traumas, and thickened, but not elongated, coronoid processes.

When the patient does not exhibit favorable health conditions for surgery, it may be possible to achieve improvements in symptoms and patient satisfaction with the mere use of orofacial myofunctional therapy and oral rehabilitation, as shown in the findings from Mazzeto and Hotta²¹.

Conclusion

HCP may interfere considerably in the quality of life of patients. Therefore, a precise diagnosis is required so as to establish the appropriate treatment. A CT scan is essential in order to obtain a correct diagnosis and establish the relation between the zygomatic arch/process and the increased coronoid process, mainly to plan the surgical procedure, if required.

References

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  May-Jun 2018

History

• Received
  03 Aug 2017
• Accepted
  19 Mar 2018