An unusual complication during arthrocentesis: N. facialis paralysis, with N. lingualis and N. alveolaris inferior anesthesia

This case report aims to review complications that can occur during arthrocentesis and report an unusual complication observed in a 55-year-old man. The patient received arthrocentesis in an attempt to treat painful locking episodes of his right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). One hour after the operation, the patient experienced temporary facial paralysis in the area of the facial nerve and anesthesia of the lingual and alveolar inferior nerves. No persistent complications were detected during the postoperative follow-up. We suspected this complication occurred after anesthetic solution overflowed from a traumatic perforation in the joint capsule to the infratemporal area during the operation. To our knowledge, this complication has not been previously reported in the literature.