Analysis of MRI findings in minimum invasive treatment for habitual temporomandibular joint dislocation by autologous blood injection around the temporomandibular joint capsule

Establishment of a selective puncture method of the temporomandibular joint targeting the superior and inferior joint spaces using a human cadaver under the guidance of an ultrasound device

OBJECTIVE

To investigate an ultrasound-guided selective puncture method for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), targeting superior (SJS) and inferior joint spaces (IJS), using a human cadaver.

STUDY DESIGN

The study utilized five cadavers donated by members of our university. The cadaver's left side was aimed at the SJS, while the right side was at the IJS. Nonionic contrast was injected into each joint using a crossing technique, with the linear ultrasound probe placed parallel to the long axis of the mandibular branch and punctured perpendicularly into the joint cavity. Cone-beam computed tomography scans assessed both the TMJs examining discs and other components for damage using a gross anatomical technique.

RESULTS

Computed tomography images confirmed successful contrast agent injection into all joint spaces without damaging the articular discs or cartilage of the mandibular head.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the ultrasound device can selectively puncture the TMJ in the SJS and IJS. In the future, the success rate is expected to improve with additional cadaver punctures. We aim to establish this technique as a viable treatment method that can be performed by oral surgeons with limited clinical experience in cadaver surgery training and a surgical technique training program using human cadavers.

Autologous Blood Injections in Temporomandibular Hypermobility: A Systematic Review

The injection of autologous blood (AB) is one of the methods of treatment of recurrent dislocations in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Due to the low invasiveness of this technique, it is reasonable to evaluate it in accordance with the standards of evidence-based medicine. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify primary studies on AB injection for the treatment of TMJ hypermobility and assess the therapy for effectiveness. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the current "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" guidelines. Controlled randomized trials comparing dislocation episode rates, range of motion in the TMJ, or articular pain intensity were adopted as the eligibility criteria. Final searches were conducted on 11 June 2023 using Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Elsevier Scopus, and the National Library of Medicine: PubMed. Trials were assessed using the "Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence" scale and "A revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials". The results of the individual studies were tabulated, syntheses were illustrated in graphs. Twenty two studies involving 982 patients were included in the qualitative analysis, of which seven studies involving 390 patients were subject to quantitative analysis. None of the included randomized controlled trials presented a high risk of bias, 75% of them raised some concerns. In a three-month observation, administration of AB was more efficient in limiting temporomandibular dislocations than hypertonic dextrose (1 study, 32 patients, relative risk = 0.33, odds ratio = 0.29) and no difference in outcomes was observed between intracavitary and pericapsular administration compared to pericapsular injection alone (2 studies, 70 patients, relative risk = 1.00, odds ratio = 1.00). Injections of AB into the temporomandibular joints are effective in preventing further TMJ dislocation episodes in 75-94% of patients. This study received no funding.

Arthrocentesis Followed by Autologous Blood Injection in the Treatment of Chronic Symptomatic Subluxation of Temporomandibular Joint

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint subluxation is defined as self-reducing partial dislocation of the TMJ during which the condyle passes anterior to the articular eminence.

Material and Method

The study consisted of 30 patients, 19 females and 11 males with 14 unilateral and 16 bilateral cases of chronic symptomatic subluxation. Treatment consisted of arthrocentesis followed by 2 ml of autologous blood injection into upper joint space and 1 ml into pericapsular tissues using an autoclaved soldered double needle with single puncture technique. Parameters evaluated were pain, maximum mouth opening, excursive jaw movements, deviation on mouth opening and quality of life, hard and soft tissue changes on X-ray TMJ view and MRI.

Results

At 12 month follow-up, average reduction in maximum interincisal opening, deviation on mouth opening, range of excursive movements on right and left sides and VAS scores were 20.54%, 32.84%, 29.59%, 27.37% and 74.53%, respectively. Out of 93.3% who responded to therapy, 66.7%, 20% and 6.7% responded after 1st, 2nd and 3rd AC + ABI, respectively. Remaining 6.7% patients had persistent painful subluxation and underwent open joint surgery. 93.3% patients responded to therapy, 80% were relieved of painful subluxation, 13.3% had painless subluxation and kept on follow-up. X-ray TMJ and MRI did not show any hard and soft tissue changes.

Conclusion

A soldered double needle, single puncture, AC + ABI are a simple, safe, cost-effective, repeatable and minimally invasive nonsurgical therapy for treatment of CSS without any permanent radiographically evident soft or hard tissue changes.

Clinical outcome after 36 months of treatment with injections of autologous blood for recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint

We investigated the prognosis after three years of treatment for recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint with autologous blood given intravenously in 21 patients with a mean (range) age 64 (17-92) years of whom 16 had coexisting systemic disease. The mean (range) follow up from the first injection was 64 (41-99) months. Eighteen patients had no recurrence during the first 36 months after their first injection, which showed that this minimally-invasive treatment was effective, particularly for those who had conditions that made a mouthpiece or operation unsuitable.

Clinical and radiological outcome of arthrocentesis followed by autologous blood injection for treatment of chronic recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the functional outcome and MRI findings of arthrocentsis followed by autologous blood injection (ABI) into the joint space for management of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.

Material and Methods

Total ten patients with bilateral chronic recurrent condylar dislocation were included in the study. Arthrocentesis of both TMJ was performed on each patient, followed by the injection of 2 ml of autologous blood into the superior joint compartment and 1 ml onto the outer surface of the joint capsule. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included; thorough history, clinical examination of TMJ, maximal mouth opening, frequency of dislocation, TMJ radiographs (open and closed mouth position), MRI, recurrence and presence of facial nerve paralysis.

Results

At the end of 3 months follow-up 8 patients (80%) had successful outcome with no further episodes of dislocation, whereas two patients reported with recurrence. Post-operative MRI showed significant improvement after ABI, compared to pre-operative MRI. There were no degenerative changes to the bony and soft tissue components of TMJ.

Conclusions

ABI is a simple, safe, minimally invasive and cost-effective technique for treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. MRI evaluation showed an improvement in the anatomical and spatial relationship of the osseous and soft tissue components of the TMJ.

Key words:TMJ lavage, luxation, fibrosis, magnetic resonance imaging.

Eminectomy for Habitual Luxation of the Temporomandibular Joint with Sedation and Local Anesthesia: A Case Series

Eminectomy which is one of the popular and most effective treatments for habitual temporomandibular joint luxation was first described by Myrhaug in 1951. There are few reports which described eminectomy being performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. We present a case series of habitual luxation of the TMJ treated by eminectomy performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Five patients were examined and found to have recurrent luxation of the TMJ. The age of patients ranged from 18 to 93 years. Bilateral eminectomy of the TMJ was performed for two patients, and unilateral eminectomy was performed for three patients. Two were examined under intravenous propofol sedation and local anesthesia, while three patients were examined under general anesthesia. One patient died from ileus one month after surgery. The follow-up period except for the case that died from ileus ranged from 12 to 33 months. No recurrent dislocation of the TMJ has been identified. Based on our experience and two other series in the literature, eminectomy with sedation and local anesthesia can be considered and might be a good option in elderly patients.