Pathologic-sonographic correlation in temporomandibular joint pathology.
The accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography (HR-US) in detecting disk displacement and condylar erosion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was evaluated, using corresponding cryosections as a "gold standard". HR-US of the TMJ was performed with a high frequency 12 MHz transducer on 30 preserved autopsy specimens. Succeeding sonography, the autopsy specimens were deep-frozen and cut in paracoronal planes corresponding to the sonographic images. HR-US diagnoses were compared with cryosectional findings in a blinded fashion. HR-US detected 19 (95%) of 20 instances of condylar erosion and 16 (73%) of 22 instances of disk displacement. There were one false-positive finding for condylar erosion and two false-positive findings for disk displacement. The accuracy of HR-US evaluating condylar erosion and disk displacement rated 93% and 73%, respectively. In conclusion, condylar erosion was reliably assessed by HR-US, but the evaluation of disk position was less accurate.
Rudisch
Ansgar
A
Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. a.rudisch@uibk.ac.at
Emshoff
Ruediger
R
Maurer
Herbert
H
Kovacs
Peter
P
Bodner
Gerd
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D016616:Cryoultramicrotomy; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography