We report a new case of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD) of the TMJ with intracranial spread. CPDD is a microcrystaline arthropathy with some clinical characteristics of synovial chondromatosis. Key aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of CPDD are discussed.
The most frequent tumors of the TMJ are metastatic. Among the tumoralpseudotumoral lesions that originate directly on the synovial membrane are synovial chondromatosis, villonodular synovitis, synovial sarcoma, tophaceous gout and CPDD. CPDD is relatively common in elderly patients, especially in the knee. Analysis of the crystals is essential for diagnosis. Surgical treatment is indicated.
CPDD is an extremely rare disease in the TMJ. TMJ tumor masses are a diagnostic challenge. The wide variety of presenting symptoms frequently obscures the underlying pathology and delays diagnosis.