Post-traumatic bifid condyle: the pathogenesis analysis.

This study investigated the characteristic of bifid condyle secondary to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) trauma, aiming to analyse the pathogenesis of post-traumatic bifid condyle. Four cases identified as having bifid condyle secondary to TMJ trauma were involved in this study. The relative information extracted from the case records included patients' complaint, history of injury and radiographic appearance, which were used to analyse the characteristic and pathogenesis of post-traumatic bifid condyle. The results indicated that there was a correlation between condylar trauma degree and bifid condylar head appearance after trauma. For severe condylar fracture, it might result in Y-shaped condyle associated with TMJ ankylosis; and condylar groove could be associated with the slight trauma in condyle articulating surface. In conclusion, as a specific entity, post-traumatic bifid condyle may develop in cases with insufficient remodelling capacity after condyle trauma, and it seems that the severity degree of trauma, the site of trauma and its relation to the insertion of the lateral pterygoid muscles are factors associated with the appearance and orientation of bifid condyle.