Ficarra B J, Nassif N J
Catholic Academy of Sciences Washington, DC.
J Med. 1991;22(2):97-121.
A succinct presentation of the definition, historical notations, etiology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical picture, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is presented. Accentuation is placed upon both the etiology of this distress, as well as the need for accurate diagnosis assisted by an elimination process via differential diagnosis. Diagnosticians can discern only what is known to them, Thus, the diagnosis of TMJ syndrome escapes the examiner too frequently. Misdiagnosis results because of the bizarre symptom-complex that mimics many diseases. Failure to diagnose can lead to erroneous empirical treatment that is ineffective. Whereas definitive scientific therapy, programmed to the patient's needs, can be a rewarding therapeutic experience. Moreover, misdiagnosis is a valid basis for a legal cause of action against physicians of all genre.
本文简要介绍了颞下颌关节（TMJ）综合征的定义、历史记录、病因、解剖学、生理学、病理学、临床表现、鉴别诊断、治疗和预后。重点强调了这种疾病的病因，以及通过鉴别诊断的排除过程进行准确诊断的必要性。诊断医生只能识别他们所了解的情况，因此，颞下颌关节综合征的诊断常常被检查者忽略。由于其奇异的症状组合类似于许多疾病，所以会导致误诊。未能做出诊断会导致错误的经验性治疗，而这种治疗是无效的。而根据患者需求制定的明确科学治疗方案，则可能是一次有成效的治疗体验。此外，误诊是对各类医生提起法律诉讼的有效依据。
