Motohiro Gotoh

A case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint followed for 17 years.

The patient was a 52-year-old woman who visited our hospital for the chief complaint of a strange sensation in the left temporomandibular joint region on February 22, 1992. On the first examination, crepitus was heard, but no disturbance of mouth opening was noted. On panoramic radiography, radiopaque bodies were present in the left temporomandibular joint region, diagnosed as synovial chondromatosis. Course observation without active treatment was selected. Calcified bodies were noted on the lateral side directly below the left temporomandibular articular tubercle on the first computed tomography image performed in December 1998. Reportedly, this lesion grows slowly, but the lesions started to enlarge at a specific time point during the 17-year follow-up in this patient, showing the necessity of long-term follow-up by imaging even though no quality-of-life reduction or subjective symptom is observed.

Second-degree atrioventricular block type II and third-degree atrioventricular block requiring cardiac pacing after tooth extraction

Because atrioventricular block can cause cardiovascular collapse, the rapid management of this condition is necessary. An 82‐year‐old man complained of discomfort after tooth extraction, and electrocardiography showed second‐ and third‐degree atrioventricular blocks. Dentists should monitor patients who report discomfort using electrocardiography because of the possibility of life‐threatening arrhythmia.