Diagnosis and surgical management of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon disease, which is characterized by chondrometaplasia of the synovial membrane. It is characterized by cartilaginous metaplasia of the mesenchymal remnants of the synovial tissue of the joints. Loose bodies can be found within the joint space. The cause of SC in the TMJ remains unclear. The nonspecific signs of SC often lead to a delay in diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. Removal of the loose bodies and of the synovial membrane involved is sufficient to control the disease in most cases. We present and discuss the diagnosis and surgical management of a new case of unilateral SC of the TMJ.