gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: ENT-physicians are faced with symptoms of pain more and more, which are related to craniomandibular dysfunctions. Nevertheless, this connection is often not noticed by the physians. The craniomandibular dysfunction describes a disturbed regulation of the muscle or mandibular joint function.

Material and methods: Twenty patients, who visited a doctor because of ear pains, tinnitus, vertigo, globus syndrome, dysphagia, speech or voice problems without finding a specific cause in the ENT region and who were secondarily diagnosed with craniomandibular dysfunction, are analyzed with regard to the etiologic connection and the possibilities of treatment.

Results: The ENT symptoms improved after treatment of the craniomandibular dysfunction by informing the patient about connections between the symptoms and the causes, physiotherapy and distraction of the mandibular joint. These results document that ENT symptoms can be a possible symptom of a craniomandibular dysfunction.

Conclusion: Because of a number of symptoms in the head region collaboration between different medical departments is necessary in cases of indistinct diagnosis .