Disk and joint morphology variations on coronal and sagittal MRI in temporomandibular joint disorders

Objectives

This study aims to assess the disk morphology and the condyle position in subjects with temporomandibular (TMJ) disk displacements on sagittal and coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and methods

Seventy-four TMJs (from 37 patients) with positive clinical TMD symptoms according to the RDC/TMD axis I protocol were evaluated by 1.5 T MRI. Disk position, disk morphology, sagittal and coronal condyle position, joint effusion, joint space, and coronal condyle angulation were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between disk displacement and MRI variables.

Results

Disk displacement with reduction (DDR) was found in 36.48 % and without reduction (DDwR), in 21.62 % of the joints. Disk displacement was anterior in 35.1 %, anterior-medial in 13.5 %, and anterior-lateral in 9.45 % of cases. The thickened posterior band (94.48 OR, p?=?0.001) and the posterior condyle position (4.57 OR, p?=?0.03) were more likely found on sagittal MRI in disk displacements. On coronal slices, the disk displacement was significantly associated with the distance from the most medial condyle point to the midplane (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Disk displacement is associated with changes of disk shape, disk dimension, and condyle position on sagittal MRI. A significant variation of the distance from the most medial condyle point to the midplane in disk displacement was found on coronal MRI.

Clinical relevance

Our study highlights the existence of changes on coronal MRI in TMD patients which should be assessed for better understanding of the clinical evolution of temporomandibular disorders.     

The evaluation of temporomandibular joint disc position in TMJ disorders using MRI

The purpose of this study was to correlate disc position and the type of disc displacement, intra-capsular effusion and degenerative changes of the condyle as demonstrated in MRI studies. In this study, 126 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 63 patients with TMJ disorders were investigated using clinical examination and MRI. One hundred and twelve TMJs were found to have internal derangement as disc displacement. The angle between the posterior margin of the disc and the vertical line drawn through the centre of the condyle was measured on MRI for each TMJ. The positions of the discs were normal, 0 degrees-10 degrees, in 11.11%; slightly displaced, 11 degrees-30 degrees, in 37.30%; mildly displaced 31 degrees-50 degrees, in 15.08%; moderately displaced, 51 degrees-80 degrees, in 7.14% of the TMJs with anterior displacement with reduction (ADDR). The disc position was severely displaced anteriorly, as over 80 degrees, in all TMJs with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADD), constituting 27.78% of all cases. We found that the smaller the degree of disc displacement the milder the internal derangement and that the intra-capsular effusion was more frequently associated with TMJ with ADDR. The degenerative condylar changes were more severe with an increased degree of anterior disc displacement.     

The use of pseudo-dynamic magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the relationship between temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement and joint pain

The relationship between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding of articular disc displacement is debated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between TMJ pain and anterior disc displacement (ADD) using pseudo-dynamic MRI. A retrospective review of MRI studies was carried out on 130 TMJs in 65 patients presenting unilateral TMJ pain. The contralateral asymptomatic joints served as the control group. Bilateral oblique sagittal and coronal MRIs as well as pseudo-dynamic studies in the oblique sagittal plane were obtained. The disc–condyle relationship was divided into three subtypes (normal disc position, ADD with reduction, and ADD without reduction), based on the pseudo-dynamic MRI findings. Fisher's exact test was used to determine whether the TMJ pain was linked to ADD. The results showed that TMJ pain was significantly related to ADD (with and without reduction) compared to the group with a normal disc position (P = .0001). A significant correlation was found between TMJ pain and the ADD subtype without reduction, as compared to the ADD subtype with reduction (P = .0156). These data suggest that a displaced disc, particularly in the subtype without reduction, is an important source of pain.     

Biometric parameters of the temporomandibular joint and association with disc displacement and pain: a magnetic resonance imaging study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between biometric parameters of the components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), articular disc displacement, and TMJ pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of 185 patients were assessed (39 males and 146 females (370 TMJs), mean age 41.3 years, range 18–79 years). The antero-posterior length of the condyle was measured in its medial and lateral regions, as well as the transverse length of the condyle. Possible associations between linear measurements of the condyle, presence of disc displacement, and joint pain were tested. Although pain was more commonly reported among patients with disc displacements, this association was not statistically significant. We found statistically significant associations showing that the antero-posterior length of the condyle at the lateral pole (D1L), the antero-posterior length of the condyle at the medial pole (D1M), and the transverse length of the condyle (D2) were higher among patients without disc displacements when compared to those with unilateral or bilateral displacements. This study showed that disc displacement was associated with smaller condyles in the antero-posterior and transverse dimensions when compared to condyles in subjects with normal disc position.     

Influence of friction at articular surfaces of the temporomandibular joint on stresses in the articular disk: a theoretical approach with the finite element method

The present study was designed to assess stress and displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk during jaw opening with different frictional coefficients (micro) from 0.0001 to 0.5 at the TMJ disk and bony component interfaces using three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of individual TMJs based on magnetic resonance (MR) images. An asymptomatic female volunteer and a female patient with anterior disk displacement without reduction were selected, and serial sagittal and frontal slices of their MR images were used for the TMJ reconstruction procedure. The condylar movement was recorded during jaw opening by a Gnatho-hexagraph and used as the loading condition for the subsequent stress analysis of the model. In the asymptomatic subject, relatively high von Mises stresses were observed in the anterior and lateral regions of the disk during jaw opening, and the superior boundary, contacting with the glenoid fossa, exhibited lower stresses than those on the inferior boundary facing the condyle. In the symptomatic subject, although the stress value in the disk was relatively low, the posterior connective tissue exhibited high stress throughout jaw opening. Additional increments in stress values and disk displacement were observed as the coefficient of friction increased, especially in the asymptomatic subject. It is concluded that an augmentation in the friction between the disk, glenoid fossa, and condyle produces an increment in stress and displacement of the disk.     

An adult case of TMJ osteoarthrosis treated with splint therapy and the subsequent orthodontic occlusal reconstruction: adaptive change of the condyle during the treatment.

This article reports treatment for a 21-year 11-month old female patient with severe osteoarthrosis of the TMJ with a special reference to adaptive changes of the condyle during the treatment. She had severe open bite with a Class II molar relationship; she had limited mouth opening, TMJ sounds, pain, and tinnitus. Lateral tomograms showed flattening and deep erosion on the left condyle, and an MRI revealed anterior disk displacement without reduction. By manipulation and splint therapy, TMJ pain and tinnitus were eliminated, then orthodontic treatment was initiated, maintaining the splint-induced position of the condyles. After 2 years of orthodontic treatment with a multibracket appliance, an acceptable occlusion was achieved with a Class I molar relationship. On lateral tomograms after treatment, bony deformation of the left condyle disappeared and adaptive remodeling was recognized with a uniform joint space in the left TMJ. However, repositioning of the disk was not achieved. Adaptive changes or functional remodeling experienced in this patient may be due to stable occlusion, uniform joint space, and the consequent biomechanical equilibrium in the TMJ.     

Sound analysis of temporomandibular joint internal derangements with phonographic recordings

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sound recordings could be analyzed to assess the state of TMJ internal derangements. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the value of sound analysis in the diagnosis of the type of the TMJ internal derangements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After clinical and radiologic examinations, phonographic sound recordings on mandibular excursions were obtained in 52 patients with TMJ internal derangements and 12 control individuals. Sound correlations were made on the basis of opening-closing, protrusive-retrusive, and lateral excursions of the mandible. RESULTS: Clicking was a consistent finding of anterior disc displacement with reduction, whereas crepitation was found in varying degrees in anterior disc displacement and osteodegenerative arthritis. Silent TMJs were the feature of normal TMJs, except for the situations of acute lock. Although in 29 TMJs opening click was followed by a closing click (reciprocal clicking), 46 TMJs with opening click also had clicking on protrusion. On the other hand, 19 TMJs with opening click also had clicking on ipsilateral motion, and 40 TMJs with opening click had clicking on contralateral motion of the mandible. The sound patterns were found to be similar in opening-protrusive clicks and opening-contralateral clicks. The lack of protrusive clicking in the presence of opening click was considered an indication of late disc reduction on opening. Crepitation was observed in advanced cases of TMJ internal derangements. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that TMJ sound analysis on mandibular excursions was indicative for diagnosis and establishment of severity of TMJ internal derangements. Clicking and crepitation may be looked on as signs of abnormal joint disorder, clicking indicating anterior disc displacement with reduction, and crepitation, indicating progression from anterior disc displacement without reduction to osteodegenerative arthritis.     

MR evidence of temporomandibular joint fluid and condyle marrow alterations: occurrence in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients

The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency and amount of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) fluid, as well as the frequency and type of condyle marrow alterations in asymptomatic volunteers and compare to patients with TMJ pain and dysfunction. Proton-density and T2 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of the TMJs of 62 asymptomatic volunteers and 58 symptomatic patients were analysed for fluid and condyle marrow alterations as well as disk position. The amount of fluid (increased T2 signal) was characterized as none, minimal, moderate or marked and related to the disk position. The differentiation between moderate and marked fluid was based on the maximum amount of fluid seen in the volunteers; more than this amount was categorized as marked fluid. The marrow of the mandibular condyle was categorized as normal, edema (increased T2 signal) or sclerosis (decreased proton-density and T2 signal) and related to fluid and disk position. In the 62 asymptomatic volunteers, 50 (81%) had none or minimal and 12 (19%) had moderate TMJ fluid. In the 58 symptomatic patients, 40 (69%) had none or minimal and 18 (31%) had moderate or marked fluid. Both in volunteers and patients, moderate fluid could be seen in joints with normal disk position, but was significantly associated with disk displacement. In the 62 volunteers, no signal abnormalities in the condyle marrow were found. In the 58 patients, six (10%) had abnormal bone marrow. These six patients had disk displacement and two had moderate or marked fluid. Marked fluid and condyle marrow abnormalities were therefore not encountered in any of the asymptomatic volunteers but in about 10% of the patients.     

关节盘前移位患者的关节音分析

目的比较关节盘前移位（ADD）患者和正常人开闭口运动中颞下颌关节（TMJ关节音的振动参数,探讨关节音频谱图的临床诊断价值。方法运用关节音分析仪记录43例ADD患者和15例正常人的TMJ表面振动参数,收集关节振动信号并进行提取处理和统计学分析。结果（1）病例组两侧TMJ的振动总能量、小于300Hz的振动能量、大于300Hz的振动能量、峰振幅均明显大于对照组（P〈0.01）;（2）不可复性盘前移位者关节振动能量及峰振幅明显低于可复性盘前移位者（P〈0.05）;（3）关节音频谱图对ADD的诊断灵敏度、特异性较高（分别为87.5%和86.7%）。结论ADD患者关节音振动的各个参数明显高于正常人,不同病变阶段的关节音亦不同,通过分析TMJ音频谱图,可能有助于鉴定异常关节音所属的病变阶段,有望成为ADD的无创辅助诊断和早期筛查方法。     

颞下颌关节损伤的早期MRI表现

目的:探讨MRI在颞下颌关节损伤中的应用价值.方法:对22例颞下颌关节损伤患者于3～14 d内行颞下颌关节MRI检查.结果:22例44侧颞下颌关节,共发现关节盘移位29侧,关节盘变形23侧,关节液改变19侧,关节骨异常9侧.结论:MRI能很好的显示颞下颌关节损伤情况,是颞下颌关节损伤的重要检查与评价手段,具有很高的临床应用价值.     

无牙牙合患者修复前后双侧颞下颌关节盘-髁关系的初步分析

目的:观察无颞下颌关节症状和体征的无牙颌患者修复前后双侧颞下颌关节(TMJ)盘-髁关系、关节腔积液及髁突骨质异常的变化。方法:通过8例无牙颌患者全口义齿修复前后双侧颞下颌关节的磁共振成像(MRI)检查,比较其修复前后双侧颞下颌关节MRI影像表现的差异。结果:修复前,8例无牙颌患者的16个关节中,10个关节盘移位(62.5%),包括7个关节盘内侧移位(43.8%),2个关节盘外侧移位(12.5%),1个关节盘前移位(6.25%);关节腔积液7个关节(43.8%);髁突骨质异常4个关节(25.0%)。修复后,8例无牙颌患者的16个关节中,10个关节盘移位(62.5%),包括7个关节盘内侧移位(43.8%)、2个关节盘外侧移位(其中1个关节盘外侧移位好转)和1个关节盘前移位(6.25%);关节腔积液7个关节(43.8%);髁突骨质异常4个关节(25.0%)。除1个关节的积液增加外,其余关节积液无变化。结论:长期缺牙可能引起无牙颌患者颞下颌关节的结构紊乱。无牙颌患者全口义齿修复后近期,关节盘移位、关节腔积液及髁突骨质异常无明显改变。     

Magnetic resonance imaging-based joint space measurements in temporomandibular joints with disk displacements and in controls

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have discussed a posterior displacement of the condyle as a possible risk factor for the development of disk displacements (DDs) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The objective of this study was to compare the posterior and anterior joint spaces in healthy TMJs with those of patients who present different forms of DDs.Study Design: The anterior and posterior joint spaces from 58 patients with unilateral or bilateral DD with reduction (DDR) or without reduction (DDNR) and from 30 healthy volunteers were measured with 3 sagittal magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from each TMJ in the maximum intercuspid position. RESULTS: Measurements of anterior and posterior joint spaces showed a good interexaminer reproducibility (rank correlation coefficients ranging from 0.88 to 0.95). Patients with bilateral DDR demonstrated a significantly more posterior position of the condyle, as compared with controls and patients with bilateral DDNR. DDNR presented a significant reduction of the anterior and the posterior joint spaces, leading to a mean concentric position of the condyle. Patients with unilateral DDR or DDNR demonstrated a greater variability of anterior and posterior joint spaces, compared with patients with a bilaterally identical type of DD. CONCLUSIONS: The data of this MRI-based clinical study indicate that different stages of disk displacements are associated with significant changes of condylar position. The variation of anterior and posterior joint spaces was influenced by the diagnosis of the contralateral joint.     

偏突颌患者颞下颌关节盘冠状向位置的MRI评估

目的研究偏突颌畸形患者双侧颞下颌关节盘-髁突位置在冠状位磁共振图像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)上的差异,并分析其关节盘移位程度与偏斜严重程度的相关性。方法对54例骨性Ⅲ类错患者进行标准化临床影像学检查得到闭口斜冠状位MRI,通过计算机软件测量分析其冠状位关节盘内外侧移位情况,应用wilcoxon秩和检验分析各组间颞下颌关节盘-髁位置在冠状位磁共振图像上的差异。结果40例偏突颌畸形患者中,偏斜侧7侧(17.5%)关节盘外侧移位,16侧(40.0%)内侧移位;而40侧偏斜对侧关节盘中,27侧(67.5%)关节盘内侧移位,仅2侧(5.0%)关节盘向外侧移位。14例(28侧)无偏斜骨性Ⅲ类患者中,18侧(64.3%)存在关节盘内侧移位,未发现外侧移位的关节盘。本研究证实了偏斜侧关节盘内外侧位置与偏斜对侧及无偏斜组存在显著性差异(P<0.05),中等到重度偏突颌患者偏斜侧关节盘位置与轻度及无偏斜者之间的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在冠状位磁共振图像中显示,中等到重度偏突颌患者偏斜侧关节盘倾向于向外侧移位,偏斜对侧关节盘倾向于向内侧移位。     

张口位MRI动态研究在诊断颞下颌关节盘前移位中的应用

目的：探讨颞下颌关节张口位磁共振动态成像在颞下颌关节盘前移位中的诊断价值。方法：对30例有颞下颌关节疼痛或弹响MRI患者60侧颞下颌关节行常规MRI静态扫描,并用快速自旋回波扫描获得开口度为0．5cm的图像,依次进行到患者达到最大开口位。然后采用模拟动态观察。分别由两名专科医师对动态扫描和常规静态扫描时关节盘移位进行诊断,并比较诊断结果。结果：静态MRI检查中关节盘可复性前移位21侧,关节盘不可复性前移位18侧,关节盘侧向移位2例,位置正常19例。动态MRI检查中关节盘可复性前移位23侧,关节盘不可复性前移位19侧,位置正常18例。结论：张口位动态MRI联合静态MRI观察对髁突、关节盘运动功能的评价非常重要,对区别可复性与不可复性关节盘前移位具有重要作用。     

A comparative assessment of mandibular condylar position in patients with anterior disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the position of the mandibular condyle in patients with anterior disc displacement (ADD) is different from that of a control group with normal joints using a novel method to quantify the irregular shape of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six magnetic resonance images of TMJs with ADD were evaluated and compared with 14 normal joints. The position of the condyle was determined by using 2 different methods: 1) measuring the horizontal and vertical normalized distances in millimeters between the geometric centers of the glenoid fossa and the condyle and 2) calculating the anteroposterior joint space ratio. RESULTS: Using the first method, the horizontal distance between the centers of the condyle and the glenoid fossa was 14.0 +/- 11.1 in the ADD group and 5.3 +/- 10.9 in the control group (P <.001). The vertical distance was 64.7 +/- 22.7 in the ADD group and 68.3 +/- 32.9 in the control group (P =.015). The ratio of the horizontal and the vertical condylar displacement in the ADD group was 2.4. Using the second method, the anteroposterior joint space ratios in the ADD group and in the control group were 1.7 +/- 0.5 and 1.2 +/- 0.4, respectively (P =.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that condyles of patients with ADD were situated more posterior and superior in the fossa than those in the control group. Moreover, in the ADD group, the posterior condylar displacement was noted to be 2.4 times greater than the superior condylar displacement.     

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of positional relationship between the disk and condyle in asymptomatic young adult mandibular prognathism

The aim of this study was to clarify disk position relative to the condyle and condylar position relative to the glenoid fossa in clinically asymptomatic and orthodontically untreated young adult Class III patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, the relationship between skeletal Class III morphology and positional changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) components were investigated. The material consisted of 34 bilateral sagittal oblique TMJ MR images (MRIs) and lateral cephalometric radiographs taken in a closed mouth position. The mean age of the patients was 20.71 +/- 0.82 years (range 16-29 years). Only clinically symptom-free subjects were included in this study. Measurements made on the MRIs and lateral cephalographs were used to calculate means and minimum and maximum values. The right and left TMJ variables were compared with the Student's t-test. Correlation coefficients between bilateral TMJ variables and skeletal variables were calculated. In the right TMJ, the disk was positioned anteriorly and the condyle was positioned posteriorly, whereas the left TMJ was normal. A negative correlation existed between the vertical skeletal morphology and the anterior joint space of the TMJ. A positive correlation was found between the left disk position and the vertical skeletal morphology because of the differentiation of the condylar head angle in each side. As a result, clinically asymptomatic Class III patients may be candidates for TMJ derangements. For this reason, clinical and visual examinations should be performed simultaneously to eliminate diagnostic errors before orthognathic treatment.     

无症状志愿者颞下颌关节盘位置的磁共振观察

目的 通过磁共振成像了解无症状志愿者颞下颌关节关节盘位置的类型及其与年龄和性别的关系.方法 100名无症状志愿者分5组(11岁～、21岁～、31岁～、41岁～、51～60岁),每组男女各10名;利用Siemens Trio Tim 3.0 T磁共振扫描系统对双侧颞下颌关节进行开闭口斜矢状位扫描,共200侧关节;对每侧关节中间层及其相邻内、外各一层磁共振图像进行视觉诊断.结果 100名无症状志愿者中59名(59.0%)双侧关节盘位置正常.关节盘位置正常、关节盘前移位和隐匿性前移位的关节侧数分别为140侧(70.0%)、14侧(7.0%)和46侧(23.0%),在5个年龄组及不同性别之间的分布比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).受试者最大开口度平均为(46.3±5.5)mm,不同关节盘位置的受试者间最大开门度比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 在无症状志愿者中颢下颌关节盘移位确实存在,其分布与年龄和性别无关;盘移位以隐匿性前移位为主;关节盘移位的影像学表现与临床症状之间不存在确定的相关关系.     

Evaluating the correlation between the lateral pterygoid muscle attachment type and internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint with an emphasis on MR imaging findings

ObjectivesDisc displacement is accepted as one of major findings in temporomandibular disorders. Correlation between lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) attachment type to the disc–condyle complex and TMJ dysfunction has rarely been discussed and still not clarified. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence LPM attachment type to the disc–condyle complex, and to investigate whether these attachment types are linked to MR imaging findings of ID and TMJ dysfunction in a Turkish population.Study designNinety-eight TMJs in 49 patients (32 males, 17 females, mean age = 36 years) with one of either: TMJ clicking, TMJ locking, restricted movement of the jaw, or pain in the TMJ region, were included. According to the clinical findings and data obtained from MRI examinations, TMJs dysfunctions were classified. LPM attachments to the condyle–disc complex were categorized into three different types. Correlation between TMJ dysfunction and LPM attachments to the condyle–disc complex was evaluated.ResultsOf 98 TMJs in 49 patients (32 males, 17 females, mean age = 36 years), 47 TMJ’s (%48) were evaluated as normal, 35 (%35.7) had a disc displacement with reduction and 16 (%16.3) TMJ had a disc displacement without reduction. Arthritis was seen in 49 TMJ’s (%50). LPM attachments to the condyle–disc complex were as follows: Type I (29.6%), Type II (40.8%), and Type III (29.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between the type of muscle attachment and the presence or absence of disc displacement (p = 0.481), disc degeneration (p = 0.752), articular surface degeneration (p = 0.117).ConclusionsThere was no statistically significant correlation between the LPM attachment types and TMJ abnormalities.     

Clinical and MRI Findings of the Temporomandibular Joint in Relation to Occlusion in Young Adults

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is excellent for visualizing soft tissues of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Because it has no harmful effects, it can be used in asymptomatic subjects. MRI and clinical findings relating to TMJs were correlated with findings relating to occlusion in 20 medical and dental students (13 women, 7 men) who volunteered to participate in our study. Subjects with clinically evident joint signs such as clicking, crepitation or tenderness on palpation also exhibited pathological MRI findings, especially in regards to configuration, position and function of the disk, and, often, disturbances of occlusal relationships between the upper and lower teeth.