The association of temporomandibular joint pain with abnormal bone marrow in the mandibular condyle.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between temporomandibular joint pain and bone marrow alterations in the mandibular condyle seen on magnetic resonance (MR) images.


METHODS
The study was based on 112 temporomandibular joints in 112 patients with disc displacement without reduction. Thirty-four patients with abnormal bone marrow on MR images were compared with a control group of 78 patients with normal bone marrow. The analysis was based on proton density and T2-weighted MR images in the oblique sagittal and coronal planes. The degree of pain was correlated to the status of the bone marrow using statistical methods.


RESULTS
The degree of pain in joints with abnormal bone marrow was higher than in joints with normal bone marrow signal on MR images (P = .0045).


CONCLUSIONS
Because the stage of internal derangement was similar in both groups, more intensive pain appears to be associated with bone marrow alterations.
Sano
T
T
Department of Oral Radiology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. tssano@senzoku.showa-u.ac.jp
Westesson
P L
PL
Larheim
T A
TA
Takagi
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*