title: MRI examination of the TMJ and functional results after conservative and surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures.
abstract: Thirty patients with healed condylar fractures were included in this study. Ten patients were conservatively treated while in 20 patients the fractures were treated surgically. All patients were assessed using: magnetic resonance imaging of both temporomandibular joints (TMJs) to evaluate the disc position and morphology; radiographs to evaluate the alignment of the bony fragments after consolidation; and clinical examination including the stomatognathic functional status and mechanical axiography. The study shows that anatomical reduction of a low, displaced or dislocated condylar fracture by surgical approach may be of benefit for the functional recovery of the TMJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oezmen
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mischkowski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lenzen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fischbach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology