Hypercondylia: problems in diagnosis and therapeutic indications

Condylar hyperplasia is a rare disease that alters the anatomy of one of the two condylus of the mandible as a consequence of the abnormal growth of the interested condylus and results in facial asymmetry and functional problems at puberty. Both sexes are affected. Two cases were analyzed, including an active and an inactive nucleus. Histopathologically, two types are distinguished: active and inactive hypercondylia. Diagnosis is usually achieved through clinical and radiographic approach and is utterly important to distinguish the consequent therapeutic approach. Thanks to the development of new diagnostic techniques, it is possible to quantify in advance the risk of skeletal relapse in case of hyperactive nucleus. This study points out the need to identify the type of hyperplasty to treat as active or inactive. Surgery should be based on scintigraphy results to evaluate active center of ossification. Clinical manifestations depend on the date of onset of this pathology and the speed of growth of the anomaly. We underline the importance of a precise diagnosis, clinical and instrumental, to plan the correct treatment achieved through a correct anamnesis, a standardized diagnostic protocol, supported by the indispensable scintigraphy.