Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and surgical findings in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical findings in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.


METHODS
Forty-three patients and 30 asymptomatic volunteers underwent MRI using the three-dimensional (3D) FISP acquisition technique. The 43 patients (43 joints) then underwent discectomy, and the surgical and MRI findings were correlated.


RESULTS
In 28 joints (28 patients), splits surrounded by regions of high-signal intensity were seen in the discs and retrodiscal tissues on MRI. Surgically, a tear was confirmed in 26 (93%) of these joints. Histologically, these areas showed severe myxomatous degeneration. Disc deformity was visualized by MRI in all patients and increases in signal intensity were found in some discs. High-signal intensities also were observed in 30 joint spaces, in which serous joint effusion was confirmed surgically.


CONCLUSIONS
Pathologic intracapsular changes are accurately depicted by FISP-3D, and this method is particularly useful for diagnosing changes in the disc and retrodiscal tissues.
Takaku
S
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical School, Japan.
Toyoda
T
T
Sano
T
T
Heishiki
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery