Temporomandibular joint arthroplasty with tragal cartilage graft in   the excision of a ganglion cyst herniating into the external auditory canal: a case report

Roger William Fernandes Moreira; Tyler Horton; Caio Pazziani; Ricardo Godoy  Carvalho; Robson Rodrigues Garcia

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20261506

Authors

Roger William Fernandes Moreira Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Carolinas Center of Oral and Facial Surgery at Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Tyler Horton Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UNC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
Caio Pazziani Private Practice, Rede D’or Hospitals Sao Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8391-6810
Ricardo Godoy Carvalho Private Practice, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Robson Rodrigues Garcia OMFS Clinical Associate Professor at HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine, NC, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3479-6097

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20261506

Keywords:

Temporomandibular joint, Ganglion cyst, External auditory canal, Arthroplasty, Cartilage graft

Abstract

Ganglion cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are rare, and extension into the external auditory canal (EAC) is uncommon. These lesions may present with otologic symptoms such as aural fullness, conductive hearing loss, and visible protrusion into the canal. We present the case of a 63-year-old man with a 24-month history of preauricular pain, aural fullness, and conductive hearing loss. Clinical examination and otoscopy revealed a translucent mass obstructing more than 50% of the left EAC. Imaging demonstrated a 6 mm bony defect of the anterior EAC wall communicating with the TMJ. Surgical excision was performed through a preauricular approach, followed by reconstruction of the defect with an autogenous tragal cartilage graft. Histopathology confirmed a benign ganglion cyst. Postoperatively, the patient achieved complete resolution of symptoms and normal mandibular function, with no recurrence at 1-year follow-up. TMJ ganglion cysts with EAC extension are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of EAC masses. Reconstruction with autogenous tragal cartilage provides effective anatomical restoration and symptom resolution.

Author Biography

Robson Rodrigues Garcia, OMFS Clinical Associate Professor at HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine, NC, USA

Clinical Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

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