Alternative Management Approach of Dislocation and Hemarthroses of the Mandibular Condyle into the Middle Cranial Fossa in a Mixed Dentition: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Condyle dislocation is defined as displacement of the condyle out of the glenoid fossa while it still remains within the joint capsule [1]. The condyle can be dislocated in many directions, with antero-medial and anterior dislocation being the most common [2-4]. On the contrary, dislocation of an intact condyle into the middle cranial fossa is very rare [24,6]. In general the condyle has a large head size compared to the glenoid fossa which makes luxation out of the glenoid fossa much more difficult. 5 Impact to the condyle from trauma more commonly results in ipsilateral or contralateral neck fracture as a defense mechanism preventing the intrusion of the condyle into the brain [6-8]. Despite these characteristics of the condyle there have been cases reported where the intact mandibular condyle has been dislocated into the middle cranial fossa without the condyle fracturing itself. The purpose of this case report is to provide an alternative management of this type of dislocation in a young child in the mixed dentition.