Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and condylectomy for mandibular condyle osteochondroma: a case report
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-015-0005-5
© Park et al.; licensee Springer. 2015
Received: 11 January 2015
Accepted: 12 January 2015
Published: 5 February 2015
Abstract
Osteochondroma is rarely reported in the maxillofacial region; however, it is prevalent in the mandibular condyle. This slowly growing tumor may lead to malocclusion and facial asymmetry. A 39-year-old woman complained of gradual development of anterior and posterior unilateral crossbite, which resulted in facial asymmetry. A radiological study disclosed a large tumor mass on the top of the left mandibular condyle. This bony tumor was surgically removed through condylectomy and the remaining condyle head was secured. Subsequently, bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was performed to correct facial asymmetry and malocclusion. Pathological diagnosis was osteochondroma; immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor exhibited a conspicuous expression of BMP-4 and BMP-2 but rarely expression of PCNA. There was no recurrence at least for 1 year after the operation. Patient’s functional and esthetic rehabilitation was uneventful.
Keywords
Background
Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign bone tumors (~40% of all benign tumors; 10% of all primary bone tumors) [1]. It usually occurs in the femur or tibia [2]. However, this tumor is rarely found in the maxillofacial region. The condyle and coronoid process of the mandible are the most prevalent sites of osteochondroma occurrence; however, relatively high incidence was also reported in the mandibular condyle [3].
Many options can be considered for the treatment of osteochondroma, including resection via local excision (condylectomy), arthroplasty, and vertical ramus osteotomy. Reconstruction with an autogenous bone graft such as costochondral graft or total joint replacement with a Temporomandibular joint prosthesis can also be good treatment options [1].
If the patient has malocclusion, two-step approaches, such as resection followed by orthognathic surgery have been used. However, there are few reports of mass resection with simultaneous orthognathic surgery. Here, we describe a case of mandibular condyle osteochondroma treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery as well as condylectomy.
Case presentation
A 39-year-old woman was referred for facial asymmetry and malocclusion, which had slowly progressed over 4 years. She visited a dental hospital 2 years before admission and was diagnosed with chondroma by radiological observation. She did not experience any systemic diseases or accidental trauma. Although she had been treated for malocclusion in a local clinic, her malocclusion was not appropriately corrected but gradually worsened. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Pre-operative patient information. (A) The mandible was deviated to the right side in a clinical photograph. (B) The midline of the lower teeth was also deviated to the right side. (C) Panoramic radiograph shows the hypertrophic left mandibular condyle. (D) Cone-beam computed tomography image. A bony mass of irregular shape is detectable in the condyle.
Panoramic view revealed an irregular articular surface of the left mandibular condyle and a large bony mass (18 × 20 × 22 mm), which was diagnosed as probable osteochondroma. In cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), bone marrow and a bony trabecular pattern were observed (Figures 1; C, D). A bone scan image showed a hot spot on the left mandibular condyle. Based on clinical and radiographic examination, the lesion of the left mandibular condyle was considered as osteochondroma.
Operation photographs. (A) A condyle segment was taken out of the fossa. (B) Extraorally, high condylectomy was performed. (C) The segment was fixed via an absorbable mesh and screws.
Photomicrographs of osteochondroma. (A) Hematoxylin and eosin staining showing proliferation of chondroid tissue deeply into marrow spaces, producing trabecular ossification. A2 is a higher magnification of panel A1. (B) Immunostaining for BMP-4, which is diffusely positive in the chondrocytes and surrounding matrix (arrows). (C) Immunostaining for BMP-2, which is slightly positive in the trabecular bone (arrows). (D) Immunostaining for PCNA, which is positive in a small number of tumor cells.
Post-operative patient information. (A) The patient showed no facial asymmetry. (B) The midline of the lower teeth was corrected. (C) Panoramic radiograph shows no signs of recurrence. (D) Cone-beam computed tomography image. The condyle was in a bone remodeling state.
Comparison of the pre-operation and post-operation status. (A) A pre-operation 3D reconstruction. The mandible was deviated to the right side. (B) A 1-year post-operation 3D reconstruction. There were no deviation and no signs of recurrence. (C) The post-operation maximum mouth opening was 40 mm without pain or any interference.
Discussion
Osteochondroma is a benign tumor of bone and cartilage. It is common in axial skeleton bones such as femur or tibia, but rare in the maxillofacial region [4]. In the mandibular condyle, osteochondroma may co-occur with chondroma and osteoma [3]. It occurs slightly more often in females than in males (1.22:1) [5]. Clinical manifestations of osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle are facial asymmetry, malocclusion, and joint pain [6]. Seki et al. reported a case of an osteochondroma patient with complete hearing loss [7]. Initially osteochondroma usually presents no symptoms, but symptoms may develop as the tumor size increases. The tumor may impinge on adjacent anatomic structures, such as nerves and bones [8]. Usually, slowly growing osteochondroma causes gradual vertical elongation of the affected side [6], but sometimes patients cannot recognize pathologic changes of their jaws. Our patient had facial asymmetry with chin deviation to the right side, severe malocclusion with crossbite and left TMJ pain.
A genetic component may be involved in this disease [9]. Another factor that increases the risk of osteochondroma is trauma [10]. However, the etiology of this disease is not clear. Our patient stated that she had no history of trauma to the left TMJ area and no systemic diseases.
Some patients exhibit vertical elongation of the affected side and slight pain [5]. Panoramic view and computed tomography (CT) can be valuable tools to diagnose this tumor. In panoramic view, osteochondroma can be detectable as an exophytic mass with mixed density and sclerosed appearance [1]. CT is more useful than panoramic view to visualize the mass and the relationships among adjacent anatomic structures [6].
Facial asymmetry and malocclusion may also be observed in condylar hyperplasia and other differential diagnoses such as osteoma, chondroma, fibrous dysplasia, fibrosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma [11]. Thus, histopathological diagnosis is important. Histopathologically, osteochondroma represents bone proliferation with a hyaline cartilage–capped osseous growth [2,3]. In contrast to other bone tumors, chondrocytes of osteochondroma show intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions or hyaline globules inside them [2].
On histological observation, the present osteochondroma showed diffuse proliferation of chondroid tissue, which partly produced ossifying trabecular bones. The chondroid tissue was conspicuously positive for BMP-4 and the trabecular bones were slightly positive for BMP-2. Most chondrocytes were surrounded by hyalinized chondroid material and showed rare PCNA immunoreaction. Therefore, we presume that the present tumor was derived from condyle chondrocytes that showed ossification, and are confident in the osteochondroma diagnosis. We also believe that the present osteochondroma was a relatively well-differentiated benign tumor with low proliferative potential.
The protocol for treatment of osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle is controversial. If only the head of the condyle is involved without tumor extension into the neck, local resection or conservative condylectomy with contouring the affected condylar head can be the appropriate choice [1]. However, conservative approach may result in recurrence of the lesion or malignant changes [5]. In case of osteochondroma requiring the removal of the condylar head and neck, total condylectomy with joint reconstruction is recommended [12]. Costochondral or sternoclavicular grafts are considered for the reconstruction of the condyle, but in this case donor site morbidity and bone resorption are possible [13]. Alloplastic TMJ replacement may be performed, but it may lead to infection and heterotopic bone formation [14]. We performed high condylectomy to remove the mass. For 12 months after surgery, the patient had not complained of any discomfort and we could not find any signs of recurrence or malignant changes.
Deviation of the mandible because of osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle can also change the occlusion plane. In this case, orthognathic surgery should be considered. It can re-establish optimal occlusion and improve facial aesthetics [3]. There are many benefits of simultaneous TMJ and orthognathic surgery. First, only one operation under general anesthesia is required. Second, the surgeon can balance the occlusion, TMJs, jaws, and neuromuscular structure at the same time. It also reduces the overall treatment time [15]. In our case, the patient showed canting of the occlusion plane right and up by 3 mm. Because the chief complaints of the patient were facial asymmetry and malocclusion, we used both Le Fort I osteotomy and mandibular set-back surgery with removal of osteochondroma via condylectomy. It was possible that a small portion of the osteochondroma lesion still remained in the mandibular condyle. However, the patient’s mandibular condyle healed uneventfully and functioned well with no evidence of recurrence. Therefore, condylectomy performed in this study seemed to be appropriate. Although we are planning to perform additional follow-up checks, we presume that condylectomy with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was effective in this patient. At 12 months post-operation, the patient was satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusion
Osteochondromas of the mandibular condyle can represent facial asymmetry, malocclusion, and TMJ pain. It can also occur occlusion plane disharmony between maxilla and mandible. Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery is able to improve the occlusion status as well as the esthetic facial profile, simultaneously. The condylectomy with orthognathic surgery can be good choice to treat osteochondroma of mandibular condyle in facial deformity patients.
Declarations
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen21 Program (Center for Nutraceutical & Pharmaceutical Materials no. PJ009013), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Authors’ Affiliations
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