MR of 2270 TMJs: prevalence of radiographic presence of otomastoiditis in temporomandibular joint disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of radiographic presence of otomastoiditis while examining temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in magnetic resonance images (MRI) in a series of 2270 temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance images and to examine the relationship between otomastoiditis and TMJ disorders.


METHODS
2270 temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance images and patients' data were retrospectively investigated. Magnetic resonance images were obtained from the patients who referred to Osaka University Dental Hospital Outpatient Clinic with TMJ complaints for the last four years (from January 1998 to January 2003). The patients, who were diagnosed as otomastoiditis based on their temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance images, were sent to Osaka University Hospital Department of Otolaryngology for a medical consultation in order to have their pathologies certified following their MR process. Age and sex were recorded for all patients and for otomastoiditis cases; location of the disease, symptoms of patients and TMJ findings were noted as well.


RESULTS
Seven patients were diagnosed as acute otomastoiditis and one patient diagnosed as chronic active otitis media with cholesteatoma in the series of 2270 MR, which were representing a prevalence of 0.39%. Neurilemoma diagnosed in left mastoid process in one patient. The final diagnoses of all patients were made after medical consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
While examining temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance images; it is not only important to examine just the TMJ structures, but also to look at the nearby anatomical features to check evidence for inflammatory disease.
Orhan
Kaan
K
Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, 06500 Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. call53@yahoo.com
Nishiyama
Hideyoshi
H
Tadashi
Sasaki
S
Shumei
Murakami
M
Furukawa
Souhei
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications*