Summary
Objective: To describe the clinical features and results of treatment of true ankylosis and
pseudoankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in dogs.
Methods: This study was a retrospective case series. Ten client-owned dogs that were presented
for inability to open the mouth or a severely decreased range of motion of the temporomandibular
joint were included. Information on the surgical procedures performed and the perioperative
complications were documented. Three-dimensional printing of the skull was performed
in four dogs.
Results: Two dogs were diagnosed with temporomandibular joint ankylosis and seven dogs with
pseudoankylosis. One dog had evidence of combined temporomandibular joint ankylosis
and pseudoankylosis. Of the seven dogs with pseudoankylosis, six had an osseous fusion
involving the zygomatic arch and mandible. Surgical treatment was performed in nine
dogs and a revision surgery was needed in one dog. Follow-up ranged from five months
to eight years (mean: 48.6 months). Eight out of nine dogs that were treated surgically
regained the ability to open their mouth, but six dogs never regained a fully normal
temporomandibular joint range of motion.
Clinical significance: Temporomandibular joint ankylosis and pseudoankylosis are uncommon in the dog. Surgical
treatment for temporomandibular joint ankylosis or pseudoankylosis in dogs is a successful
option and carries a prognosis dependent on patient-specific abnormalities. Computed
tomography complemented with three- dimensional printing is valuable for understanding
the extent of abnormalities and for preoperative planning.
Supplementary material for this paper is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-15-11-0189.
Keywords
Ankylosis - pseudoankylosis - temporomandibular joint - dog - surgery - three-dimensional
printing - 3D printing
