TMJ ankylosis as a complication of infection is a known but extremely rare presentation, with scientific literature reporting very few published cases. Septic arthritis infections occurring in a neonate with involvement of the TMJ region could lead to ankylosis as a result of this unusual infection process, which are often caused by Staph. aureus bacteria. Neonatal TMJ ankylosis can cause severe functional disability and also interfere with the harmony of facial growth. This poster presentation describes a clinical case of unilateral TMJ ankylosis in a 15-months old male baby occurring as a complication of neonatal septic arthritis infection. The clinical presentation showed severe limited mouth opening of 11 mm and deviation of the jaw to the ankylosis side. Radiographic examination using CT scan showed unilateral gross enlargement of the right TMJ with ankylosis to the base of the skull. This neonate at age of 16 months, the youngest child according to published reports, was treated surgically by gap arthroplasty and interpositional temporalis fascia graft with an immediate increase of mouth opening to 20 mm. The patient was followed by immediate active jaw physiotherapy with initial successful outcome.

Conflict of interest: None declared.