[Diagnostic evaluation of the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis using cone beam computed tomography compared with conventional radiographic technology].
OBJECTIVE
Osteoarthritic lesions of Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) were assessed by dental cone beam computed tomography(CBCT), and compared with conventional radiographic technology.


METHODS
The study was conducted retrospectively on 511 joints of 350 patients, who had undergone dental CBCT, panoramic radiography, transcranial projection and transpharygeal projection of TMJ. The results were compared and the accuracy with CBCT was assessed. The types of osseous condylar abnormalities were observed.


RESULTS
(1) The occurrence of osteoarthritis in male and female were 59.04% and 69.66%, respectively, with no significant difference. (2) Compared with CBCT, panoramic radiography, transpharygeal projection examination showed no significant difference, with the accuracy being 90.64% and 94.10%, respectively; However, transcranial projection indicated a significant difference in comparison with CBCT and the accuracy was 86.97%. (3) A higher occurrence of osteoarthritic lesions of the condyle was sclerosis (39.86%). Bony proliferation or osteophyte (28.18%) and ill-defined cortical bone (18.90%) were followed.


CONCLUSIONS
Cone beam CT, which reproduces multiple images including axial, coronal and sagittal planes of the joint, provides a complete radiographic investigation of the bony components of the TMJ. It is one of the best choices of imaging diagnosis of TMJ osteoarthritis. Panoramic radiography and transpharygeal projection examination are also good choices for showing osseous condylar abnormalities in the clinic, but transcranial projection examination is inferior.
Meng
Juan-hong
JH
Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School & Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Zhang
Wan-lin
WL
Liu
Deng-gao
DG
Zhao
Yan-ping
YP
Ma
Xu-chen
XC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*