Central luxation or dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa. A case report and review of the literature.

This case report concerns a central luxation of the mandibular condyle of an 11-year-old girl. After a fall from a bicycle, the mandibular condyle luxated into the middle cranial fossa. The mandible was "ankylosed" in an ipsilateral latero-occlusion, and the diagnosis was confirmed by temporomandibular joint radiography. Immediate conservative reposition was performed successfully, without any immobilisation. After 18 months follow-up, the temporomandibular joint function was normal and painless despite progressive degenerative changes in the mandibular condyle. The patient's facial appearance proved to be normal.