[Relationship between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and temporomandibular joint pain].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and joint pain.


METHODS
Oblique sagittal T1 and T2 weighted MR imaging at closed mouth was obtained from 88 joints of 44 patients who complained of unilateral TMJ pain. The condylar marrow signal of pain-free side served as self-control. All patients rated their pain levels by a visual analogue scale (VAS).


RESULTS
Of 44 painful joints, 11(25% joints showed condylar marrow signal abnormalities, all of which were edema pattern. While there had condylar marrow signal abnormalities only in 2 (4.5%) of 44 pain-free TMJs. There was significant correlation between joint pain and condylar marrow signal abnormalities (P<0.01). The VAS score of patients with and without condylar marrow signal abnormalities was respectively 39.5+/-27.5 and 42.6+/-21.9, There was no correlation between them (P=0.696).


CONCLUSIONS
Temporomandibular joint pain is closely correlated with condylar marrow signal abnormalities, but the pain degree has no association with it.
Jiao
Guo-Liang
GL
Department of Oral Medicine, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050082, Hebei Province, China. jiaog163@hotmail.com
Zhao
Er-Jun
EJ
Wang
Yong-Hai
YH
Zhu
Yu-Fen
YF
Du
Yu-Ping
YP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*