title: Effect of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis on synovial fluid mediator level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha: implications for treatment outcome.
abstract: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is a predominant sign and symptom in patients with temporomandibular disorder, and a common cause of chronic orofacial pain. Arthrocentesis of the upper joint space proved to be effective in reducing TMJ-related pain and reestablishing normal mandibular range of movement in patients diagnosed for a 'closed lock'. Using the therapeutic approach of arthrocentesis in TMJ-related instances of capsulitis/ synovitis (C/S) with a recency of first pain onset of < or =6 months, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the TMJ-related variable synovial fluid (SF) level of TNF-alpha may be linked to the cessation of related signs and symptoms associated with the performance of arthrocentesis and hydraulic distension. In 23 patients with a specific temporomandibular disorder diagnosis of unilateral C/S with a recency of first pain onset of < or =6 months, TMJ SF aspirates were obtained from the pain and contralateral non-pain sides immediately before and after arthrocentesis. Visual analog scales were used for pre- and postoperative self-assessment of TMJ-related pain during function, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were applied for measurement of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentration. With a mean SF TNF-alpha level of 13.91 ng/ml associated with the pain side, and a mean SF TNF-alpha level of 7.73 ng/ml associated with the non-pain side, a statistically significant difference was found between the sample groups (P=0.001). Arthrocentesis led to a significant intraoperative decrease of the respective preoperative SF TNF-alpha levels, namely 61.64% (P=0.000) on the pain side and 89.50% (P=0.000) on the non-pain side, while reduction of TMJ-related pain during function was 73.17%, (P=0.000). Clinical evaluation showed a significant reduction in the prevalence of TMJ-related diagnoses of C/S (P<0.001). There was no change in the prevalence of associated TMJ-related diagnoses of internal derangement. In view of the fact that the described technique of TMJ SF analysis may be suggested as a valuable diagnostic method for the detection of biochemical SF events, the results of this study should encourage research in its potential uses so that it can become established as a reliable diagnostic approach. Further, the findings may support the concept of bilateral arthrocentesis to be effective in the treatment of patients with a unilateral specific TMD diagnosis of non-chronic C/S.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Innsbruck, Austria. Maxillofaziale-Chirurgie@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emshoff
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puffer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Strobl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gassner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D019152:Paracentesis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha