Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons  2014;40(6):301-307

doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2014.40.6.301

Mouth opening limitation caused by coronoid hyperplasia: a report of four cases.

Sung Min KIM 1 ; Jin Hyeok LEE ; Hak Jin KIM ; Jong Ki HUH

Affiliations

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Keywords

Trismus; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Hyperplasia; Mandible; Diagnosis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Coronoid process hyperplasia is a rare condition that causes mouth opening limitation, otherwise known as trismus. The elongated coronoid processes impinge on the medial surfaces of the zygomatic arches when opening the mouth, which limits movement of the mandible and leads to trismus. Patients with trismus due to coronoid process hyperplasia do not have any definite symptoms such as temporomandibular joint pain or sounds upon clinical examination, and no significant abnormal signs are observed on panoramic radiographs or magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joint. Thus, the diagnosis of trismus is usually very difficult. However, computed tomography can help with the diagnosis, and the condition can be treated by surgery and postoperative physical therapy. This paper describes four cases of patients who visited our clinic for trismus and were subsequently diagnosed with coronoid process hyperplasia. Three were successfully treated with a coronoidectomy and postoperative physical therapy.