Radiology of the temporomandibular joint. Diagnostic imaging of the temporomandibular joint

Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of disorders of the masticatory system. The most frequent disorders are osteoarthrosis and internal derangements. The clinical diagnosis of these disorders may be confirmed by diagnostic imaging. In addition, diagnostic imaging contributes to the staging of the degenerative changes. Techniques for examination of the temporomandibular joint, including conventional (panoramic, transpharyngeal, transcranial) as well as more sophisticated techniques (tomography, fluoroscopy, arthrography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging) are briefly described. The interpretation of the radiological image of the joint in health and when affected by osteoarthrosis and internal derangement is presented.     

颞下颌关节内窥镜手术的局部应用解剖测量

目的,了解颞下颌关节（TMJ）与邻近各解剖标志以及重要神经血管的解剖关系,以便更好地掌握手术操作方式和手术范围,方法：解剖测量7具国人尸体头颅的TMJ解剖结构及其与邻近解剖标志和重要神经血管的解剖关系,并依据20张显示鼻中隔居中,双侧解剖结构对称的CT片测量外耳道前倾角。结果：TMJ与在神经的颞支,面横动静脉,耳前神经血管束等组织的解剖关系非常密切,外耳道前倾角,关节节后斜面斜度,关节窝最薄处骨壁厚度和等测量数据对术者的操作是十分重要的参数值,结论 ：手术者熟知颞下颌关节的结构及其与邻近重要组织的解剖关系才能掌握好穿刺的角度和深度,控制手术范围,尽量减少手术并发症的发生。     

A drape for temporomandibular joint surgery

A method for draping in TMJ surgery including arthroscopy is presented using a urological drape. The advantage is that it allows movement of the mandible by the surgeon or assistant without their contamination by saliva.     

A technique for temporomandibular joint roentgenography

The roentgenograms obtained with this device (Fig. 9) have been similar to those obtained with the Updegrave apparatus. The advantages observed are:

• 1. The upright position of the patient.
• 2. The prefocused simplicity of alignment of the tube head and cassette.
• 3. The ease and accuracy of positioning because the earplug can be seen in position.
• 4. The use of a marking system which informs the operator of the exposure to be made in each position of the cassette.
• 5. The fact that the device can be used either with the patient in the dental chair, or on any sort of stool or chair depending on the location of the machine and the space available.
• 6. The short time required to go through the procedure including setting up and taking down the apparatus.
     

MRI characteristics of the asymptomatic temporomandibular joint in patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint disorder

Oral Radiology - To determine the association between unilateral temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and the presence of imaging abnormalities in the contralateral, asymptomatic joint. MRI...     

A ganglion associated with the temporomandibular joint.

A ganglion that occurred as a preauricular mass was reported. A review of the literature disclosed no previous report of a ganglion in this area. Although a ganglion is an innocuous lesion, its presence in the preauricular region must be considered a remote possibility in the differential diagnoses of masses in this area.     

Surgery of the temporomandibular joint

This paper describes the author's experience of the surgical technics of different pathologies of TMJ, along 34 years of professional works.     

Radiology of the temporomandibular joint

When evaluating the current status of a patient with diseases of the TMJ, certain guidelines must be followed. It is of the utmost importance to take into consideration the total picture. This must include the history, physical examination, x-rays, films, and any other pertinent information. As stated previously, the TMJ is demonstrated with a great deal of clarity by modern tomographic x-ray techniques. This, however, provides only part of the total evidence. It is indeed unfortunate that some medical and dental consultants for insurance companies and other health groups base their criteria for eligibility on the evidence provided only by the x-ray films, without taking into consideration other important data. Another source of error is the fact that the total duration of the patient's symptoms is not given enough consideration. This is shown in patients with a history lasting many months or years, associated with definite x-ray changes, who are misdiagnosed as having myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. The fact that this is an acute process of short duration involving primarily muscles of mastication and other related soft tissues is overlooked. When presented with a patient with a long history of TMJ discomfort, it is essential to consider an intrinsic organic process of the joint. It should be stressed that osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is a condition frequently found in the TMJ when examined with modern tomographic techniques. It occurs in individuals of all ages. Osteoarthritis of the TMJ is basically a medical or orthopedic condition similar to that found in other joints of the body affected by this primary joint disease. For this reason, osteoarthritis cannot be considered purely a dental condition when it occurs in the TMJ. However, because of the close proximity, both anatomically and physiologically, to the teeth and related structures, these conditions are frequently labeled as dental.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)