CASE REPORT
Bilateral Elongated Mandibular Coronoid Process and Restricted Mouth Opening: A Case Report
Thomas Starch-Jensen*, Annette Dalgaard Kjellerup
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2017Volume: 11
First Page: 670
Last Page: 678
Publisher ID: TODENTJ-11-670
DOI: 10.2174/1874210601711010670
Article History:
Received Date: 15/06/2017Revision Received Date: 10/10/2017
Acceptance Date: 20/11/2017
Electronic publication date: 27/12/2017
Collection year: 2017

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Introduction:
Mandibular coronoid process hyperplasia is an uncommon congenital or developmental temporomandibular joint disorder, characterized by elongation of the coronoid process, which may cause limited mandibular movement as a consequence of interference between the hyperplastic coronoid process and the medial surface of the zygomatic arch.
Methods:
Mandibular coronoid process hyperplasia commonly affects males in the second decade of life and the exact aetiology and pathogenesis is unknown. The condition can be uni- or bilateral. Progressive painless reduction in mouth opening is the main clinical finding and computed tomography is the most reliable imaging modality for confirming the diagnosis.
Results:
Surgical intervention involving coronoidectomy and long-term intensive postoperative physiotherapy is the treatment of choice for mandibular coronoid process hyperplasia with impingement on the zygomatic bone and limited mouth opening. However, surgically induced fibrosis and the tendency for mandibular coronoid process regrowth may cause relapse and renewed limited mouth opening. Vigorous physical therapy should therefore be initiated shortly after surgery.
Conclusion:
The purpose of this case report is to present the clinical and radiographic features of elongated mandibular coronoid process in an 18-year-old male with limited mouth opening, and to discuss the various surgical treatment modalities.