Reactive arthritis of the temporomandibular joints and cervical spine in a child

doi:10.1186/1546-0096-5-4

Pediatric Rheumatology

Volume 5

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Case Report

Reactive arthritis of the temporomandibular joints and cervical spine in a child

Bita Arabshahi¹ , Kevin M Baskin² and Randy Q Cron¹^,3

¹Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA

²Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA

³University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

author email corresponding author email

Pediatric Rheumatology 2007, 5:4doi:10.1186/1546-0096-5-4


Published:	4 April 2007

Abstract

Background

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis is frequently seen in children with chronic arthritis. It has rarely been described in a non-infectious acute setting. We report a case of reactive arthritis isolated to the TMJs and cervical spine.

Case presentation

A 6-year-old Native American boy hospitalized for treatment of lymphadenitis and aseptic meningitis had an incidental brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding of effusions in the TMJs, as well as the atlanto-occipital and C1–C2 articulations. Repeat TMJ and cervical spine MRI four weeks later showed resolution of effusions. Reactive TMJ arthritis has been previously reported in adults but not in children.

Conclusion

This report represents the first pediatric case of reactive arthritis isolated to the cervical spine and TMJs. Arthritis of the TMJ should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with reactive arthritides.