Long-term magnetic resonance imaging after temporomandibular joint discectomy without replacement.
OBJECTIVE
The intracapsular changes in patients who underwent discectomy without disc replacement were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the long-term outcome of this procedure.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients observed for an average of 9 years 4 months (5 to 24 years) and 10 asymptomatic volunteers underwent MRI using T1- and T2-weighted images and 3-dimensional fast imaging with a steady precession sequence (FISP-3D) technique. The intracapsular changes, especially those in the joint space, were compared with the postoperative clinical findings.


RESULTS
MRI examination of the temporomandibular joint in the 33 patients (35 joints) indicated the presence of tissue with an intermediate or high signal intensity in the joint space. This tissue covered the articular surface of the condyle and fossa. Thirty-two joints had no pain or only occasional, mild pain (3 joints). No patient had severe joint pain or a low signal intensity in the joint space on MRI examination. There was no correlation between joint noise and the presence of a tissue deformity in the joint space. MRI of 2 patients with limited mouth opening showed tissue with high signal intensity in the joint space as well as an exostosis on the eminence and hypertrophy of the condyle.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term success is possible with discectomy without replacement. This appears to be attributable to the formation of new tissue between the condyle and fossa that acts as a pseudodisc.
Takaku
S
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical School, Iruma-gun, Japan. stakaku@saitama-med.ac.jp
Sano
T
T
Yoshida
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors