Analysis of magnetic resonance images of disk positions and deformities in 1,265 patients with temporomandibular disorder

Magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint dysfunction-correlation with clinical symptoms, age, and gender

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the morphological (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI manifestations correlate with the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction according to gender and age of the patients.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred and forty-four subjects with TMJ dysfunction underwent a MRI of both TMJ to establish the presence of disk displacement, osteoarthritis, and effusion. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were preformed. For the comparison of mean values between samples, we used T-test.

RESULTS

A significant relationship between symptoms and morphological manifestations was found. In the group without reduction there were significant increases in the risk of experiencing symptoms (P = .002). Significant correlation between age and osteoarthritis (P = .001) and age and effusion (P = .022) was found. There was no correlation between gender and morphological manifestations.

CONCLUSION

MRI morphological manifestations of the TMJ correlate with the presence of symptoms, therefore MRI has a crucial role in the diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction.

Evaluation of the correlation between disc displacements and degenerative bone changes of the temporomandibular joint by means of magnetic resonance images

The aim was to evaluate the correlation between disc displacements and degenerative bone changes in magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 112 patients of both genders, with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. For this purpose, a calibrated examiner evaluated 224 MRI by assigning scores for the displacement of the disc and degenerative bone changes. Disc displacement was found in 58.42% of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) evaluated. Anterior displacement of the disc with reduction was the most common, occurring in 67.18% cases of joints with disc displacement. Degenerative bone changes were observed in 53.94% of the TMJs analysed. There was significant correlation between disc displacement with reduction and condylar flattening, disc displacement without reduction and condylar flattening, disc displacement without reduction, and associated degenerative bone changes (flattening and erosion, flattening, osteophyte and erosion; flattening and osteophytes, erosion and sclerosis, flattening and sclerosis, flattening, osteophytes and sclerosis). The correlation between advanced cases of disc displacement and the occurrence of degenerative bone changes emphasises the importance of MRI for an accurate diagnosis and development of an appropriate treatment plan and in cases in which clinical examination is not sufficient for these purposes.