Keywords: septic arthritis, temporomandibular joint, infection

Abstract: The authors report a case of septic arthritis in the temporomandibular joint treated at the Emergêncy Unit of the Univesity Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, which has developed after an episode of acute tonsillitis. The patient presented odynophagia irradiated to the parotid region associated with local edema and limited mouth opening. Regular radiography showed an increase of the articulation space and impaired condylar excursion to the right side. CT showed an increase in volume of the periarticular soft parts and irregular contour of the articular surface of the condyle on the right side. The antibiotic treatment prescribed was oral clindamycin. There was a good evolution of this case with recovery of articulation lesions observed at CT examination. The authors emphasize the risk factors and the most commmon clinicai manifestations of temporomandibular septic arthritis.