Ultrasound detection of abscesses in the temporomandibular joint following surgical reconstruction.
The purpose of this investigation is to report the technique and assess the utility of ultrasound diagnosis of abscess in the postoperative temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Fourteen patients had 18 ultrasound examinations of the postoperative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to detect a possible abscess. Ultrasound examinations were performed with either a 5-MHz linear array and/or a 7.5-MHz sector probe following placement of implants (16) and autogenous costochondral grafts (2). The TMJ was scanned in both coronal and axial planes. In 14 examinations, an abscess was not detected; there were no false-negatives. Soft-tissue edema was found in 1 of these 14 examinations; at surgery, there was no abscess. Four examinations were positive for an abscess; 3 of these were confirmed at surgery. One examination was false-positive. We conclude that ultrasonography can detect an abscess in the symptomatic postoperative TMJ. A negative examination is reliable.
Department of Radiology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
J M
JM
Lieberman
H Y
HY
Green
J P
JP
Bradrick
A T
AT
Indresano
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography