Bifid mandibular condyle: a disorder in its own right?

BACKGROUND

The authors present six cases of mandibular condyle malformation. They also conducted a literature review of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) to analyze the various hypotheses that have been made regarding the etiopathogenesis of this entity. Type of Studies Reviewed. The authors searched the PubMed database for all instances of BMC and similar anatomical alterations, and they included non-English-language published reports. The inclusion criterion was the presence of a multilobular mandibular condyle.

RESULTS

Mandibular condyle may manifest in different anatomical forms; bilobular is the most common, although triple lobular morphology also has been observed. A congenital origin has been suggested as the primary cause. In addition, trauma may alter the growth of the condylar cartilage, inducing an anatomical defect. However, the majority of participants in this study had no history of trauma. The authors reviewed a total of 198 cases in study participants and cadavers.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In the absence of traumatic antecedents or other alterations of the temporomandibular joint, the presence of a BMC may be associated with developmental anomalies.