August 6, 2013 – Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: case reports and review of the literature

” The authors reviewed the available literature regarding the presentation, evaluation, treatment, and clinical course of TM joint septic arthritis, focusing on elements relevant to emergency physicians. Septic arthritis of the TM joint may be caused by hematogenous spread of distant infection or local spread of deep masticator space infections. Patients may present with TM joint septic arthritis acutely or sub–acutely. Septic arthritis of the TM joint should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with trismus and pain or fever.”

Full Article: http://www.tmj.org/site/content/latest-tmj-science