Is TMJ or a Ganglion Cyst Causing Your Jaw Problems?

A ganglion cyst is a balloon of tough, fibrous tissue that’s filled with synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the slippery liquid that lubricates and nourishes your joints, and that’s where ganglion cysts develop: on a joint. We don’t know what causes ganglion cysts, but they may be related to joint damage caused by trauma, stress, or wear, as they are sometimes associated with arthritis.

The most commonly affected joints are the wrists and ankles, but in rare cases the temporomandibular joint can be affected. In this case, the cyst develops right out of the joint capsule, which enfolds the cartilaginous cushioning disc.

A ganglion cyst is just one of many different types of cysts that can develop in or around the temporomandibular joint, causing similar symptoms.  Some cysts can even form in around the base of the tongue and cause sleep apnea symptoms.

Ganglion cysts aren’t the only cysts that can cause TMJ lumps. Synovial cysts are closely related to ganglion cysts, with similar types of fluid and similar presentation. There is a distinction: the type of tissue that lines the fluid-filled cavity. A doctor can tell the difference by analyzing the lesion.

Usually, the two types of cysts have similar symptoms and even look the same with most types of imaging, including visual examination. The most important difference between these two cysts is their causes. Synovial cysts are more likely to be related to displacement or damage of the jaw joint. That means they are more likely to be a result of TMJ disorders.

A ganglion cyst can produce many TMJ-like symptoms, such as jaw pain, tinnitus, or vertigo. However, a ganglion cyst probably won’t cause jaw clicking or popping, and the jaw pain will be only in the joint, with no pain in the jaw muscles.

A ganglion cyst is more likely to cause a visible swelling at or near the jaw joint. It will happen on just one side, and all your pain will be related to that mass. The visible swelling is likely to happen before you notice any pain. Push on the swelling region. If it feels like it’s a fluid-filled balloon, then it’s a cyst. Often, if the cyst is close to the surface, light will shine through it. TMJ-related swelling is more likely to feel firm, like muscle.

While a lump at the jaw joint might make us suspect a ganglion cyst, there are other potential causes of swelling in this region.

Swelling near the jaw joint might be your pre-auricular lymph node. Lymph nodes (sometimes called lymph glands) store immune cells and filter some of the body’s fluids. If your lymph nodes swell, it’s likely that your immune system is activated to fight an infection nearby, such as an ear infection, tooth infection, salivary gland infection, or even gum disease.

Other times, the infection itself might be causing the swelling, as with infections of your salivary glands. These can be painful and might cause some symptoms similar to TMJ.

Swollen sebaceous glands can cause superficial swelling near the skin. These don’t usually cause painful jaw-related symptoms.