A case of ganglion cyst of the temporomandibular joint accompanied by osteoarthritis

Abstract Ganglion cyst is a pseudocyst, which rarely occurs in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Although symptoms of ganglion cyst of the TMJ typically involve pain and trismus, it remains unclear why pain and trismus develop due to a simple cystic lesion. A 53-year-old man presented to our clinic with trismus, pre-auricular pain, and aural fullness on the right side. Imaging examinations suggested temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) and cystic lesion. Visually guided irrigation (VGIR) revealed TMJ-OA with synovitis. After 3 months of VGIR, the patient’s pain and trismus disappeared; however, aural fullness remained. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed a remaining cystic lesion of the TMJ. Surgery was performed to excise the cystic lesion, and pathological examination revealed a ganglion cyst. After surgery, the aural fullness was resolved. The findings in this case suggest that pain generally originates from TMJ-OA, rather than the ganglion cyst, because ganglion cysts are often accompanied by TMJ-OA.