Relative odds of temporomandibular joint pain as a function of magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement,osteoarthrosis, effusion,and bone marrow edema

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether common magnetic resonance (MR) imaging variables such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema are predictive of the presence of TMJ pain. STUDY DESIGN: The relationship between TMJ pain and TMJ internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema was analyzed in MR images of 338 TMJs in 169 patients with a clinical diagnosis of TMJ pain and dysfunction. Criteria for including a patient with TMJ pain were a report of orofacial pain referred to the TMJ, with the presence of unilateral or bilateral TMJ pain during palpation, function, or unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. The criteria for including a patient with no pain were the absence of TMJ pain during palpation, function, and unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. Application of the criteria resulted in a study group of 129 patients with unilateral TMJ pain, 18 with bilateral TMJ pain, and 22 without TMJ pain. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of TMJ internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratios for internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema for nonpainful TMJs (n = 173) versus painful TMJs (n = 165). RESULTS: For pairwise comparison, the chi(2) test was used; the resultant data showed a significant relationship between the clinical findings of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnoses of internal derangement (P =.000), osteoarthrosis (P =.015), effusion (P =.002), and bone marrow edema (P =.016). Of the MR imaging variables considered simultaneously in multiple logistic regression analysis, osteoarthrosis (P =.405), effusion (P =.131), and bone marrow edema (P =.231) dropped out as nonsignificant in the diagnostic TMJ pain group in comparison with the TMJ no-pain group. Significant increases in risk of TMJ pain occurred with disk displacement without reduction in combination with osteoarthrosis and bone marrow edema (3.7:1 odds ratio; P =.000) and with disk displacement without reduction in combination with osteoarthrosis and effusion (2.8:1 odds ratio; P =.000). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TMJ pain is related to internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema. However, the data reemphasize that these MR imaging variables may not be regarded as the unique and dominant factors in defining TMJ pain occurrence.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement and effusion in patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint pain.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of internal derangement (ID) and effusion. STUDY DESIGN: The study was comprised of 41 consecutive patients with TMJ pain. Criteria for including a patient were report of unilateral pain near the TMJ, with the presence of unilateral TMJ pain during palpation, function, and/or unassisted or assisted mandibular opening, and the absence of a specific clinical TMJ-related diagnosis of disk displacement with or without reduction. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of TMJ ID or effusion, or both. RESULTS: Comparison of the TMJ side-related data showed a significant relationship between the clinical finding of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID (P =.001), and TMJ effusion (P =.004). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ ID and TMJ effusion (P =.000). Use of the kappa statistic test indicated poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ ID (kappa = 0.34), TMJ effusion (kappa = 0.32), and TMJ ID and effusion (kappa = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings suggest that although clinical pain is correlated with TMJ-related MR imaging findings, clinical pain in and of itself is not reliable for predicting the presence of TMJ ID or effusion, or both. Therefore, MR imaging appears to be a warranted and necessary supplement to the clinical findings.     

Risk factors for temporomandibular joint pain in patients with disc displacement without reduction - a magnetic resonance imaging study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging variables of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement, osteoarthrosis and/or effusion may predict the presence of pain in patients with a clinical disorder of an internal derangement type (ID)-III. The relationship between TMJ ID-III pain and TMJ internal derangement, osteoarthrosis and effusion was analysed in MR images of 84 TMJs in 42 patients with a clinical unilateral diagnosis of TMJ ID-III pain. Criteria for including a TMJ ID-III pain patient were report of orofacial pain referred to the TMJ, with the presence of unilateral TMJ pain during palpation, function and/or unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of TMJ internal derangement, osteoarthrosis and effusion. Using chi-square analysis for pair-wise comparison, the data showed a significant relationship between the MR imaging findings of TMJ ID-III pain and those of internal derangement (P=0.01) and effusion (P=0.00). Of the MR imaging variables considered simultaneously in the multiple logistic regression analysis, osteoarthrosis (P=0.82) and effusion (P=0.08) dropped out as non-significant in the diagnostic TMJ pain group when compared with the TMJ non-pain group. The odds ratio that a TMJ with an internal derangement type of disk displacement without reduction might belong to the pain group was strong (2.7:1) and highly significant (P=0.00). Significant increases in risk of TMJ pain occurred with 'disk displacement without reduction in combination with osteoarthrosis' (5.2:1) (P=0.00) and/or 'disk displacement without reduction in combination with osteoarthrosis and effusion' (6.6:1) (P=0.00). The results suggest that TMJ pain is related to internal derangement, osteoarthrosis and effusion. However, the data re-emphasize the aspect that these MR imaging variables may not be regarded as the unique and dominant factors in defining TMJ pain instances.     

Relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement

In terms of clinical decision-making in instances of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain, there is controversy in the literature over the diagnostic significance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related variable disk-condyle relationship (DCR). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in patients with TMJ-related pain, the variable of TMJ pain may be linked to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of internal derangement (ID). The study comprised 163 consecutive TMJ pain patients. Criteria for including a patient were report of orofacial pain referred to the TMJ, and the presence of uni- or bilateral TMJ pain during palpation, during function, and/or during unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the prevalence of TMJ ID types. Analysis of the data revealed the presence of TMJ pain to be associated with significantly more MR imaging diagnoses of ID than an absence of ID (P<0.001), and disk displacement without reduction than disk displacement with reduction (P<0.001). Using chi-square analysis, the results showed a significant relationship between the presence of TMJ-related pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ ID (P=0.001), and TMJ ID type (P=0.000). Use of the Kappa statistical test indicated poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of ID (K=0.16). The results suggest that the clinical variable of TMJ pain may have a significant effect on the prevalences of MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID. The data confirm the biological concept of DCR as a diagnostic approach in patients with signs and symptoms of TMJ-related pain.     

Temporomandibular joint pain: relationship to internal derangement type, osteoarthrosis, and synovial fluid mediator level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related pain classified as capsulitis/synovitis may be linked to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, or the synovial fluid aspirate findings of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level. STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised 23 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), who had nonchronic pain (pain onset < or =6 months) and a unilateral TMJ-related diagnosis of capsulitis/synovitis. Bilateral sagittal and coronal magnetic resonance images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, or both. TMJ synovial fluid aspirates were obtained from the pain and contralateral nonpain sides to determine the TNF-alpha level. RESULTS: Comparison of the TMJ side-related data showed a significant relationship between the clinical TMD diagnosis of capsulitis/synovitis and the MRI diagnoses of TMJ internal derangement (P =.002) and of TMJ internal derangement type (P =.04). The mean TNF-alpha level in synovial fluid aspirates from TMJs assigned a clinical TMD diagnosis of capsulitis/synovitis was significantly higher than in those obtained from contralateral nonpain sides (P =.001). There was no correlation between the clinical diagnosis of capsulitis/synovitis and the MRI diagnosis of TMJ osteoarthrosis (P =.13) or between the MRI diagnosis of TMJ osteoarthrosis and that of TMJ internal derangement (P =.70) or TMJ internal derangement type (P =.33). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the TMJ pain condition of capsulitis/synovitis is related to TMJ-side specific MRI diagnoses of internal derangement and internal derangement type, and synovial fluid aspirate findings of TNF-alpha level. The data confirm the concept of elevated mediator level as a diagnostic approach for patients presenting with TMJ-related pain. MRI and synovial fluid aspirates may be used as diagnostic methods for evaluating TMJ-related pain conditions.     

Temporomandibular joint internal derangement type III: relationship to magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement and osteoarthrosis. An intraindividual approach.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in patients with a clinical unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related finding of internal derangement type (ID)-III (disk displacement without reduction) in combination with TMJ-related pain, the intraindividual variable of 'unilateral TMJ ID-III pain' may be linked to subject-related magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of TMJ ID, and TMJ osteoarthrosis (OA). The study comprised 48 consecutive TMJ pain patients, who were assigned a clinical unilateral TMJ pain side-related diagnosis of ID-III. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of TMJ ID and/or OA. Comparison of the TMJ side-related data showed a significant relationship between the clinical finding of TMJ ID-III pain and the MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID (P=0.000) and TMJ ID type (P=0.000). There was no correlation between the clinical finding of TMJ ID-III pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ OA (P=0.217), nor between the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ OA and that of TMJ ID (P=0.350). Regarding the diagnostic subgroups of TMJ ID, a significant relationship was found between the presence of TMJ OA and the MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID type(P=0.002). Use of the Kappa statistical test indicated a fair diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ ID-III pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of disk displacement without reduction (DDNR) (K=0.42). The results suggest that TMJ ID-III pain is related to TMJ-related MR imaging diagnoses of ID. Further, the data confirm the biological concept of 'DDNR and OA' as an underlying mechanism in the etiology of TMJ-related pain and dysfunction.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of osteoarthrosis and effusion in patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint pain

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of osteoarthrosis (OA), and effusion. The study comprised 112 consecutive TMJ pain patients. Criteria for including a patient were report of unilateral pain near the TMJ, with the presence of unilateral TMJ pain during palpation, function, and/or unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the presence or absence of TMJ OA, and/or effusion. Comparison of the TMJ side-related data showed a significant relationship between the clinical finding of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ OA (P=0.000), and TMJ effusion (P=0.000). Further, there was a significant relationship between the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ OA and TMJ effusion (P=0.000). Use of the Kappa statistical test indicated poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ OA (K=0.22), TMJ effusion (K=0.29), and TMJ 'OA and effusion' (K=0.30). The study's findings suggest that while clinical pain is correlated to TMJ-related MR imaging findings, clinical pain in and of itself, is not reliable for predicting the presence of TMJ OA and/or effusion. Validation of MR imaging diagnoses would involve the investigation of cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence to assess decisive differences in terms of prognosis and/or treatment outcome.     

Bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle related to internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and joint effusion.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion may predict the diagnostic group of bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationship between bone marrow edema and TMJ disc displacement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion was analyzed in MRIs of 120 TMJs in 73 consecutive patients with TMJ pain and/or a clinical diagnosis of TMJ internal derangement type III (disc displacement without reduction). The diagnostic bone marrow edema group was comprised of 54 TMJs in 40 patients with a unilateral or bilateral MRI diagnosis of bone marrow edema. The control group consisted of 66 non-bone marrow edema TMJs in 33 patients with a bilateral MRI finding of an absence of bone marrow edema. A logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratios for internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion for non-bone marrow edema TMJs (n = 66) versus TMJs with bone marrow edema (n = 54). RESULTS: Using Chi;(2) analysis for pair-wise comparison, the TMJ-related data showed a significant relationship between the MR imaging findings of TMJ bone marrow edema and those of internal derangement (P = .000), osteoarthrosis (P = .000), and effusion (P = .010). Of the MRI variables considered simultaneously in the multiple logistic regression analysis, osteoarthrosis (P = .107) and effusion (P = .102) dropped out as nonsignificant in the diagnostic bone marrow edema group when compared with the control group. The odds ratio for individuals with an internal derangement showing bone marrow edema was strong (3.6:1) and highly significant (P = .000). Significant increases in risk of bone marrow edema occurred with disc displacement without reduction and osteoarthrosis (9.2:1) (P = .000) and disc displacement without reduction and effusion (6.4:1) (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the MR imaging findings for TMJ bone marrow edema are related to those of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion. However, the data re-emphasize the aspect that internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, and effusion may not be regarded as the unique and dominant factors in defining TMJ bone marrow edema instances.     

Prognostic indicators of the outcome of arthrocentesis: a short-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVES: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is purported to be an effective modality in the treatment of patients with closed-lock symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clinical findings of disk displacement without reduction associated with pain in the TMJ are related to the discovery of TMJ osteoarthrosis (OA) through the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and whether the presence of OA affects the treatment outcome of patients who undergo arthrocentesis of the TMJ. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of 38 patients with TMJ pain who were assigned a clinical diagnosis of unilateral internal derangement (ID) of the TMJ, type III (disk displacement without reduction), in combination with capsulitis/synovitis (C/S) and an MR imaging diagnosis of disk displacement without reduction in the painful TMJ only. Before the patients underwent arthrocentesis, bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to confirm the presence or absence of ID and OA. The preoperative and postoperative levels of TMJ function with respect to pain and mandibular range of motion were evaluated and compared. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratios for successful outcomes for OA (n = 24) versus unsuccessful outcomes for TMJs (n = 14). RESULTS: The preoperative data revealed a significant relationship between the clinical diagnosis of TMJ ID type III with C/S and the discovery of OA on MR images (P =.048). At the 2-month follow-up, a clinical evaluation revealed a significant reduction in TMJ pain during function (P =.000); a significant reduction in the clinical diagnoses of ID type III (P =.000), and C/S (P =.000); and a significant increase in the mandibular range of motion (P =.000). The patients with successful outcomes were more likely to be associated with an MR imaging finding of OA than were the patients with unsuccessful outcomes. (10.4 odds ratio; P =.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings suggest that the presence of OA revealed on MR images is related to clinical pain; furthermore, OA proved to be an important prognostic determinant of successful arthrocentesis.     

Are internal derangement and osteoarthrosis linked to changes in clinical outcome measures of arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint?

PURPOSE: Arthrocentesis and hydraulic distention of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been described as an effective modality in the treatment of patients with clinical findings consistent with the diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging variables of internal derangement (ID) and osteoarthrosis (OA) and the presence of capsulitis/synovitis (C/S) may be linked to changes in TMJ signs and symptoms associated with the performance of arthrocentesis and hydraulic distention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 27 TMJ pain patients, who were assigned a clinical unilateral TMJ diagnosis of ID type III (disc displacement without reduction). Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained immediately preoperatively and at a 2-month follow-up to establish the presence or absence of ID and OA. TMJ pain level of function and mandibular range of motion were assessed preoperatively and compared with the respective 2-month follow-up findings. RESULTS: The pretreatment data revealed a significant relationship between the clinical finding of TMJ pain and the MR imaging findings of ID (P <.001), ID type (P <.001), and OA (P <.05). At 2-month follow-up, clinical evaluation showed a significant reduction in TMJ pain during function (P <.001), a significant reduction in the clinical diagnoses of ID type III (P <.05), and a significant increase in mandibular range of motion (P <.05). There was no change in the prevalence rates of associated MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID and/or OA. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that clinical pain is related to TMJ-related MR imaging findings of ID and OA. These diagnoses proved not to be linked to changes in therapeutic outcome measures of TMJ pain and mandibular range of motion.     

Determining predictor variables for treatment outcomes of arthrocentesis and hydraulic distention of the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: Arthrocentesis and hydraulic distention of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been described as an effective modality in the treatment of patients demonstrating clinical findings consistent with the diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the clinical variable of TMJ pain chronicity and the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging variable of osteoarthrosis (OA) may predict treatment outcomes of arthrocentesis and hydraulic distention of the TMJ. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 29 TMJ pain patients, who were assigned a unilateral clinical temporomandibular disorder (TMD) of "TMJ pain associated with an internal derangement (ID) type III (disc displacement without reduction)," and a TMJ pain side-related MR imaging diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained immediately preoperatively to establish the presence or absence of ID and OA. TMJ pain level of function and mandibular range of motion were assessed preoperatively and compared with the respective 2-month follow-up findings. Outcome criteria of success were 1). an absence of signs and symptoms characteristic of a diagnosis of ID type III and/or 2). a reduction in pain level of 85% or greater. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratio for TMJ pain chronicity (duration >6 months and <2 years) and OA for successful outcomes versus nonsuccessful outcomes. RESULTS: The pretreatment data revealed no significant relationship between the clinical disorder "TMJ pain associated with ID type III" and the MR imaging finding of OA (P =.103). At 2-month follow-up, clinical evaluation showed a significant reduction in TMJ pain during function (P =.000), a significant reduction in clinical diagnoses of TMDs (P =.000), and a significant increase in mandibular range of motion (P =.000). Significant increase in risk of a nonsuccessful outcome (pain reduction <85%) occurred with TMJ pain chronicity (odds ratio of 41.0) (P =.018). Significant increase in benefit of a successful outcome (absence of ID type III) occurred with TMJ OA (odds ratio 1:16.7, P =.06) (P =.044). CONCLUSIONS: Arthrocentesis in chronic TMJ pain patients was less successful than in nonchronic patients with regard to treatment outcome of pain reduction. Arthrocentesis in patients with TMJ OA was more beneficial with regard to the disappearance of ID type III than in non-OA patients. Predictive modeling may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify "at-benefit" patients early and initiate specific treatments.     

Diagnosing TMJ internal derangement and osteoarthritis with magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a study to investigate the relationship between the presence of temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, pain and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, findings of internal derangement, or ID, and arthritis, or OA. METHODS: The authors studied 131 consecutively seen TMJ pain patients. Their criteria for including a patient in the study were report of unilateral orofacial pain referred to TMJ and the presence of unilateral TMJ pain during palpation, function, and unassisted or assisted mandibular opening. The authors took bilateral sagittal and coronal MRIs to establish the presence or absence of TMJ ID, OA or both. RESULTS: When the authors compared TMJ side-related data from all subjects, they found a significant relationship between the clinical findings of TMJ pain and the MRI diagnoses of TMJ ID (P = .000) and TMJ OA (P = .013). They also found a significant relationship between the MRI diagnosis of TMJ ID type and that of TMJ OA (P = .000). The authors used the kappa statistical test and found poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ pain and the MRI diagnosis of TMJ ID (kappa = 0.21), TMJ OA (kappa = 0.15), and TMJ ID and OA combined (kappa = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings suggest that while clinical pain is related to TMJ-related MRI findings, the presence of clinical pain is not a reliable predictor of TMJ ID, OA or both. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Using MRI to supplement clinical findings of TMJ pain appears warranted and necessary to establish the presence or absence of TMJ ID.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement in temporomandibular joints without a clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalences of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of internal derangement (ID) in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) without a specific clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and to investigate whether in this TMJ group the variable of pain may be linked to MR imaging findings of ID. The study comprised 109 patients, who were assigned a clinical uni- or bilateral TMJ-related diagnosis of 'absence of TMD'. Bilateral sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained subsequently to establish the prevalence of TMJ ID. An MR imaging diagnosis of ID was found in 99 (55.9%) of the 177 TMJs investigated. About 30.3% of the closed mouth-related TMJ positions characterized by disc displacement presented with anterior disc displacement, while 27.3% had anterolateral and 25.3% anteromedial disc displacement. Analysis of the data revealed the presence of TMJ pain to be associated with significantly more MR imaging diagnoses of disc displacement without reduction than disc displacement with reduction (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the prevalences of ID and those of absence of ID (P > 0.05). Using chi-square analysis, no significant relationship was found between the presence of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of TMJ ID (P=0.93). Use of the kappa statistical test indicated poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of TMJ pain and the MR imaging diagnosis of ID (kappa=0.01). The results suggest TMJs with a clinical diagnosis of 'absence of TMD' to be associated with a high rate of IDs, while in these instances the clinical variable of TMJ pain may have no effect on prevalences of MR imaging diagnoses TMJ ID. The data confirm the aspect of clinical diagnostic criteria as an unreliable instrument in predicting MR imaging diagnoses of TMJ ID.     

Validity of clinical diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders: clinical versus magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of temporomandibular joint internal derangement and osteoarthrosis

OBJECTIVES: Research is needed to assess the validity of clinical decision criteria for the diagnoses of temporomandibular disorders. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of clinical diagnoses in predicting magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses of temporomandibular joint internal derangement and osteoarthrosis in a patient pain group with temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: One clinician used the Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders to classify 163 consecutive patients with temporomandibular disorders on physical diagnosis. The radiologist subsequently performed magnetic resonance imaging on 326 temporomandibular joints. Diagnostic agreement was determined for the diagnostic categories of absence of internal derangement, disk displacement with reduction, disk displacement without reduction, and osteoarthrosis. RESULTS: Use of the Kappa statistic test indicated a poor diagnostic agreement between the clinician and the radiologist. CONCLUSIONS: The classification system of the Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders provides insufficient reliability for determination of the presence of temporomandibular joint internal derangement and osteoarthrosis. It should be supplemented by evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations to assess decisive differences in the areas of pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis.     

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint disorders

Fifty-eight temporomandibular joints (TMJs) from 40 patients with TMJ-related symptoms were examined by means of magnetic resonance scans with modified gradient echo sequences and a special double coil. This technique yielded a good spatial resolution of the intra-articular soft tissues, especially the articular disc and the bone structure of the TMJ. In combination with an incremental jaw opener, the disc-condyle complex was analysed in various closed and open mouth positions, depending on the clinical examination. Open mouth movement with differentiation of disc-condyle rotational and translation movement was demonstrated. Disturbances of TMJ motion showed interrupted condylar translation combined with mandibular deviation during open mouth movement (n = 8/58). Early phases of internal derangement of the TMJ with partial anterior disc displacement with (n = 12/58) or without (n = 2/58) reduction, total anterior disc displacement without reduction (n = 10/58), disc deformation (n = 10/58), disc adhesion (n = 2/58), condylar hypermobility (n = 6/58), condylar displacement (n = 8/58), and late phases of internal derangement of the TMJ with osteoarthrosis (n = 14/58) were clearly identified. Bilateral TMJ disorder was found in 72.5 per cent of the patients. By using motion-adapted, semi-dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is possible to improve the understanding of the complexity of TMJ movements.     

The prevalence of osteoarthrosis in cases of advanced internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: a clinical, surgical and histological study

INTRODUCTION: The articular disk has a central role in the pathology of internal derangement of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). What is less clear is the role of osteoarthrosis in the development of internal derangement. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of osteoarthrosis in cases of advanced and recalcitrant TMJ internal derangement that were treated by diskectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 22 joints in 18 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of advanced and recalcitrant internal derangement of the TMJ. All patients included in the study failed to respond to at least 6 months of pre-operative conservative treatment and the clinical diagnoses of advanced TMJ internal derangement were confirmed on pre-operative MRI's. Tissue specimens were obtained from all 22 joints for histopathology. The specimens included articular disks that were excised from all 22 joints which were found to have severely displaced and deformed disks that were judged to be irreparable at the time of surgery. Also included were eight tissue samples from the mandibular condyles that were judged to be diseased on pre-operative tomograms and at the time of surgery. All samples were prepared in serial sections in the standard way and examined under light microscopy by two experienced Oral Pathologists. RESULTS: There were 22 specimens of articular disk examined together with 8 specimens from the mandibular condyle. All 22 joints (100%) showed histological evidence of disk pathology and eight of the 22 joints (34.4%) were found to have condylar pathology. The most common disk pathology was hyalinization indicative of disk degeneration (12/22). The most common condylar pathology found was articular surface degeneration indicative of osteoarthrosis (8/22). CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological diagnoses of advanced TMJ internal derangement correlated with histological findings of degeneration and inflammation of the articular disk in all 22 specimens. The 8 specimens obtained from the condylar head showed histological features consistent with osteoarthrosis. This study showed that osteoarthrosis and internal derangement were found to co-exist in the same joint in about one-third of cases. The fact that osteoarthrosis was not found in all cases suggests that perhaps the widely held view that subclinical osteoarthrosis may lead to pathologic tissue responses in the form of internal derangement will need to be re-examined.     

Clinical versus magnetic resonance imaging findings with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: an evaluation of anterior disc displacement without reduction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the clinical finding of anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADWOR) and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is correlated to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of TMJ internal derangement (ID). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The TMJ group was composed of 55 TMJ pain patients who were assigned a clinical diagnosis of unilateral ADWOR. The control group consisted of 58 nonpainful TMJ patients. Sagittal and coronal MR images were obtained to establish the incidence and type of ID. RESULTS: Using chi-square analysis, the results showed a significant relationship between the presence of pain and the MRI diagnosis of ID (P =.000) and its type (P =.000). Use of the kappa statistical test indicated poor diagnostic agreement between the presence of pain and the MRI diagnosis of ID (kappa = 0.37) and disc displacement with reduction (kappa = 0.20). The diagnostic agreement for disc displacement without reduction was 78.8%, with a corresponding kappa-value of 0.58, indicating fair agreement between the clinical and the MRI diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that TMJ pain associated with ADWOR is correlated with MRI diagnoses of ID and the ID type. These data confirm the use of the clinical diagnostic criteria for disc displacement without reduction as a reliable method of predicting similar MRI diagnoses.     

Lateral cephalometric analysis of mandibular morphology: discrimination among subjects with and without temporomandibular joint disk displacement and osteoarthrosis

Summary To assess whether in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia cephalometric variables of mandibular morphology may discriminate among the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging‐based TMJ groups of ‘bilateral presence of disk displacement without reduction (DDwoR) and osteoarthrosis (OA)’ and ‘bilateral absence of bilateral DDwoR and OA’. Bilateral MR imaging of the TMJ was performed in 45 consecutive TMJ arthralgia patients to identify individuals with the specific structural characteristics of bilateral TMJ DDwoR associated with OA. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken from lateral cephalograms to apply selected criteria of mandibular morphology. A discriminant function analysis was used to investigate how cephalometric parameters discriminate among the TMJ groups of ‘bilateral presence of DDwoR with OA’ and ‘bilateral absence of DDwoR and OA’. Ramus height (Ar‐Go) and effective mandibular length (Ar‐Pog) produced a significant discriminant function that predicted TMJ group membership (P < 0·001). This function correctly classified 80·2% of original and cross‐validated grouped cases. This study supports the concept that cephalometric variables of mandibular morphology discriminate among subjects with and without bilateral TMJ DDwoR and OA.     

Relationship between internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint and dentofacial morphology in women with anterior open bite.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior open bite is known to be associated with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study examined the relationships between internal derangement and dentofacial morphology in women with anterior open bite. METHODS: Fifty-one women with anterior open bite were enrolled in this study. The sample was divided into 3 groups based on magnetic resonance imaging of bilateral TMJs: normal disk position, disk displacement with reduction, and disk displacement without reduction. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the 3 groups with respect to the cephalometric variables, and Duncan's multiple comparisons were performed at the 95% confidence level to identify the differences among the 3 groups. RESULTS: Internal derangement of the TMJ was much more prevalent in subjects with a more posteriorly rotated mandibular ramus, a smaller mandible, and a greater tendency for a skeletal Class II pattern, although all subjects had an anterior open bite. These patterns were more severe as the internal derangement progressed to disk displacement without reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Some cephalometric characteristics, such as a decrease in posterior facial height, decrease in ramus height, and backward rotation and retruded position of the mandible, are associated with TMJ internal derangement in women with anterior open bite.     

Significance of frequency-selective fat saturation T2-weighted MR images for the detection of bone marrow edema in the mandibular condyle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of frequency-selective fat saturation (FS) T2-weighted images (T2WI) for the detection of bone marrow edema in the mandibular condyle. MR evidence of bone marrow abnormalities was examined on the set of FS T2WI and conventional T1WI or of conventional T2WI and T1WI in 200 patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) related pain. Other parameters studied were TMJ effusion, disk displacement categories, and cortical bone abnormalities. The detection rate and area of bone marrow edema by FS T2WI and T1WI were significantly greater than those assessed by conventional T2WI and T1WI. The correlation between bone marrow abnormalities on FS T2WI and T1WI and pain was significantly stronger than with conventional T2WI and T1WI. This study confirms that FS T2WI is useful for the detection of the "edema pattern" in the mandibular condylar associated with TMJ-related pain.