MRI characterization of temporomandibular joint synovial cysts: A case presentation with a brief review of the literature

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint synovial cysts pose diagnostic challenges due to their rare occurrence and clinical resemblance to other cystic lesions. This study presents an 84-year-old male with a histopathologically confirmed synovial cyst in the temporomandibular joint. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging delineated a homogeneous unilocular lesion with hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted and proton density images. Notably, the cyst demonstrated dynamic displacement within the mandibular fossa during mouth-opening. The aim of this study was to report the magnetic resonance imaging findings of a case presenting a temporomandibular joint synovial cyst and to provide a concise review of pertinent cases documented in the existing literature for comparative purposes.

Keywords

• Synovial Cyst
• Temporomandibular Joint
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Diagnostic Imaging

References

1. Neto N, Nunnes P. Spectrum of MRI features of ganglion and synovial cysts. Insights Imaging. 2016;7(2):179-86.
2. Maribo Y, Stokbro K, Aagaard E, Larsen SR, Thygesen T. Synovial Cysts in the Temporomandibular Joint: a Case Report and Critical Review of the Literature. J Oral Maxillofac Res. 2019;10(1):e4.
3. Vera-Sirera B, Tomas-Amerigo JA, Baquero C, Vera-Sempere FJ. Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint: an immunohistochemical characterization and literature review. Case Rep Pathol. 2013;2013:508619.
4. LaBan MM, Wang AM, Chrisman A, Lenger A. "Numb Chin" Syndrome: Mental Nerve Mononeuropathy Resulting From a Synovial Temporomandibular Cyst. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(7):e65.
5. Chatelet F, Benichou L, Ketoff S. A Synovial Cyst of the Temporomandibular Joint. J Rheumatol. 2021;48(2):299-300.
6. Promerat A, Constant M, Ferri J, Nicot R. Temporomandibular joint synovial cysts: A systematic review of the literature and a report of two cases. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022;123(4):478-83.
7. Bonacci CE, Lambert BJ, Pulse CL, Israel HA. Inflammatory synovial cyst of the temporomandibular joint: a case report and review of the literature. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1996;54(6):769-73.
8. Steen MW, Hofstede DJ. Ganglion and Synovial Cyst of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report and Literature Review. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015;3(9):e524.

9. Mumert ML, Altay T, Shelton C, Harnsberger HR, Couldwell WT. Ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint with intracranial extension in a patient presenting with seventh cranial nerve palsy: Case report. Journal of neurosurgery. 2012;116(2):310-2.
10. Okochi K, Nakamura S, Tetsumura A, Honda E, Kurabayashi T. Magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint cyst. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2012;113(6):827-31.
11. Nys M, Verstraete L, Van Camp N, Hermans R, Politis C. Synovial and ganglion cysts of the temporomandibular joint: A case series. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases. 2020;6(3):100155.
12. Verma S, Chambers I. Synovial cyst of the temporomandibular joint: a case report with surgical management and long‐term follow‐up. Oral Surgery. 2015;8(3):182-6.
13. El-Habbash S, Padaki P, Bayoumi S, Ross P. Management of a temporomandibular joint synovial cyst in a case complicated by severe trigeminocardiac reflex. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2018;100(7):e174-e5.
14. Goudot P, Jaquinet AR, Richter M. Cysts of the temporomandibular joint. Report of two cases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999;28(5):338-40.
15. Chen Y, Suzuki M, Siraki S, Kayano T, Amagasa T, Takagi M. Synovial cyst of the temporomandibular joint: report of a case. Oral medicine & pathology. 1998;3(2):97-9.
16. Ansari H, Robertson CE, Lane JI, Viozzi CF, Garza I. Auriculotemporal neuralgia secondary to TMJ synovial cyst: a rare presentation of a rare entity. Headache. 2013;53(10):1662-5.
17. Buckley C, Beecher S, Sleeman D, O'Shaughnessy M. Bilateral synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint. BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(7).
18. Neis J, Tehrani M, Dornhoffer JL. Synovial cyst of the temporomandibular joint: An unusual presentation. Int Adv Otol. 2010;6:1.
19. Farole A, Johnson MW. Bilateral synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1991;49(3):305-7.
20. Rozylo-Kalinowska I, Orhan K. Imaging of the temporomandibular joint. 2019.
21. Orhan K. Ultrasonography in Dentomaxillofacial Diagnostics: Springer; 2021.
22. Spinzia A, Panetta D, Russo D, Califano L. Synovial cyst of the temporomandibular joint: a case report and literature review. International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery. 2011;40(8):874-7.
23. Chu K, He L, Wang Y, Yao M, Yang M, Liu S, et al. Effectiveness of Needle Aspiration versus Surgical Excision for Symptomatic Synovial Cysts of the Hip: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research. 2023;29:e940187-1.