Trifid Condyle Case Study

Trifid mandible condyle is an exceedingly rare entity with only 8 cases reported to date. The aetiology of the disorder is unknown, though like bifid mandibular condyle, a correlation with prior trauma is usually seen. We present a unique case of a 17-year-old male who presented with restriction of movements at the temporomandibular joint, with a history of trauma 10 years back. Imaging revealed unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis with trifid condyle.

KEYWORDS
Temporomandibular joint ankylosis, Trifid condyle

INTRODUCTION
The first case of trifid mandibular condyle was reported in the literature in 20031 and it is an exceptionally rare entity, the etiology and pathogenesis of which is not fully understood.1-8 However, previous trauma
Two out of three cases have a history of trauma to the facial region.1-8. The present case also had a history of trauma at seven years of age. Thomason & Yusuf reported cases related to condyle fracture post-trauma, which, after healing, eventually led to bifid condyle formation.15 However, some post-traumatic bifid condyle cases are found in patients with TMJ symptoms, hypoplastic condyle or ankylosis.6-9,11,15,16. Stadnicki (1971) reported a case of a 3-year-old girl with limited mouth opening and a bifid condyle following forceps delivery, and the girl subsequently developed ankylosis at the age of 12
After condylar trauma or fracture resulting in the condyle dividing into two major parts, the major bony fragment and the condyle stump, sufficient healing and remodelling processes might produce the two parts unite together and form one new condyle. Otherwise, the insufficient remodelling of the condylar bony fragment might give rise to the bifid condyle formation. However, it has also been stated that insufficient remodelling capacity is not the only contributing factor in the formation of post-traumatic bifid