Olga Lorida, Georgios Paschalidis, Michail Patsikas, and Serafeim Papadimitriou

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) trauma is among the most common injuries of the feline skull, often caused by accidents and falls. Luxation usually affects the condylar process of the mandible and is typically unilateral and rostrodorsal, while caudoventral luxation is rarer and often accompanied by fractures. Diagnosis can be challenging, particularly in brachycephalic cats, whose altered skull morphology may predispose them to TMJ disorders. Advanced imaging such as CT and cone-beam CT are considered gold standards for evaluating TMJ pathology.

Materials and Methods (Case Report)

The study describes the case of a 7-year-old male Persian cat that sustained a traumatic fall from the fourth floor, resulting in traumatic brain injury, dental fractures, and bilateral caudoventral TMJ luxation. Diagnostic imaging included intraoral radiographs and CT scans, which confirmed the luxation without retroarticular fractures. Due to neurological instability, surgery was postponed for 10 days. When closed reduction failed, an open surgical approach was chosen. A modified curvilinear incision allowed better access and minimized the risk of iatrogenic damage during bilateral condylectomy.

Results

The surgical procedure was completed without complications. Postoperatively, the cat was supported with an esophagostomy tube for nutrition but resumed voluntary eating within 5 days. At 15 days, the cat showed improved jaw mobility with 60 mm mouth opening. At 10 months, follow-up CT confirmed bilateral pseudarthrosis formation, which provided functional joint stability, while the cat had returned to normal routine activities without discomfort or malocclusion.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates that in brachycephalic cats with TMJ luxation, delayed surgical management may still yield favorable outcomes if bilateral condylectomy is performed. The modified surgical approach provided precise access and minimized complications, resulting in a good long-term functional recovery. The findings also suggest that brachycephalic cats may be anatomically predisposed to TMJ luxations.

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