Intrusion of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a case of mandibular condyle intrusion into the middle cranial fossa in a young child and to systematically review the literature pertaining to this condition.

STUDY

DESIGN

The diagnostic procedures comprised clinical examination, health history, and both magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. A systematic review of the literature from PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases from 1960 to 2005 was made and a total of 55 cases in 51 references were found, of which 36 were described in detail.

CONCLUSIONS

Prompt diagnosis of mandibular condyle intrusion into the middle cranial fossa is essential to minimize complications. Advanced imaging modalities of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are indicated.