title: Adolescent TMJ tomography and magnetic resonance imaging: a comparative analysis.
abstract: The predictive value of radiographic tomography was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging as a definitive test of TMJ soft-tissue status in a predominantly asymptomatic adolescent sample. Eighty-two TMJs in 41 subjects (mean age = 12.5 years, range = 10 to 17 years) were independently evaluated using axially corrected tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Tests of comparison and correlation were performed. Correspondence of tomographic classification to magnetic resonance imaging classification of nondisplacement (55%), reducing internal derangement (35%), or nonreducing internal derangement (10%) showed a significant relationship (P < .05). Tomography as a diagnostic test of abnormal disc position had a sensitivity of 0.43, a specificity of 0.80, a positive predictive value of 0.64, and a negative predictive value of 0.63. Tomography is inappropriate as a diagnostic test for TMJ internal derangement.
authors.affiliation: U of A Division of Orthodontics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. lorne.kamelchuk@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kamelchuk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nebbe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Major
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray