[The temporomandibular joint compromise as a cause of acute and chronic headaches and other otoneurological symptoms]. / El compromiso articular temporomandibular como causa de cefaleas agudas y crónicas y otros síntomas otoneurológicos.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to introduce a new condition within temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint compromise (TMJC), a mandibular movement limiting disorder of extra-articular traumatic cause, and evaluate the response rate and safety of treatment. The limiting cause of mandibular movement is the lack of space between the mandibular ramus and maxilla. The main symptoms of TMJC include headache, dizziness, and tinnitus. In many cases, the headache is previously diagnosed as a migraine. METHODS: Data were collected from 54 patients aged between 6 and 59 years that had a confirmed diagnosis of migraine according to the 3rd Edition of the International Headache Classification of the International Headache Society of 2018, and were treated for TMJC in a dental clinic. They also presented with other otolaryngological symptoms. A retrospective quasi-experimental study without a control group was carried out due to ethical considerations related to the harmless nature of the treatment. RESULTS: After treatment of TMJC, migraine symptoms disappeared in 52 patients (96.3%, P<.001), and persisted, although with clinical improvement, in 2 (3.7%). There was also an improvement in the other associated symptoms dizziness disappeared in 23 out of 27 affected patients (85.21%, P<.001), and tinnitus disappeared in the 31 affected patients (100%, P<.001). No significant treatment-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the high rate of response and safety of the treatment of TMJC.