Magnetic resonance arthrography of the temporomandibular joint.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the usefulness of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRAr) in imaging the pathologic temporomandibular joint (TMJ).


METHODS
Thirteen TMJs of 11 patients with chronic TMJ pain and disability were examined with MRAr. T1-weighted and T2-weighted first spin-echo sequence with fat suppression images were obtained after the intra-articular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine.


RESULTS
The disc, the posterior attachment, and the presence of perforations and adhesions were evaluated in each image. All of these anatomic and pathologic structures were clearly detected.


CONCLUSIONS
MRAr appears to be a promising imaging modality in detecting adhesions and perforations in the TMJ. The MRAr findings simplified the decision of whether a patient should undergo surgery.
Toyama
M
M
The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan. toyama@dpc.aichi-gakin.ac.jp
Kurita
K
K
Koga
K
K
Rivera
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012421:Rupture / Q000473:pathology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA