Synovial chondromatosis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition of the temporomandibular joint: challenging diagnosis

BACKGROUND: The association between the synovial chondromatosis (SC) and the calcium pyrophosphate deposition (pseudogotta) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is very rare and has been described just 1 patient in the literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman was referred to Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, Sapienza Università di Roma after complaining about right temporomandibular pain, limitation in mandibular movements, and tumefaction in the right preauricular region. The patient was hospitalized for the surgery. The microscopic examination of the excised material revealed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposits crystals associated with cartilaginous proliferation. CONCLUSION: The association between the SC and the calcium pyrophosphate deposition (pseudogotta) is a challenging diagnosis among TMJ neoplasms.