title: Temporomandibular joint: a methodology of magnetic resonance imaging 3-D reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop a new method for the 3-dimensional reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) images by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In a preliminary study, this modality of 3-D representation was tested to evaluate the joint motion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sagittal MRI slices were obtained from a healthy subject. Acquisitions were realized by a spin-echo sequence, with a proton-density weighting and a 2-mm slice thickness. A 3-D reconstruction of the TMJ images was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-dimensional representations of the temporomandibular joint were obtained. The depiction of the principal anatomical elements of this joint was realized. A study of TMJ dynamics was also carried out. In this case, movements of the right and left disks and condyles were measured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 3-D reconstruction methodology allowed a more understandable anatomical description than 2-D images of the TMJ and offered possibilities for joint functional analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics and Conservative Sentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bretagne Occidentale, LATIM, U650 INSERM, Brest, France. reza.arbab-chirani@univ-brest.fr
authors.forename: Reza Arbab
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chirani
authors.forename: Jean-José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jacq
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meriot
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology