Retrospective study on the evaluation of the TMJ by MRI using a newly developed standardized evaluation form.
The objectives of this retrospective study were to systematically assess the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) using a newly developed standardized evaluation form with 16 parameters based on MRI diagnostics and to verify the reliability of the MRI diagnoses. One hundred fifty-four (154) TMJs of 77 patients with arthrogenic complaints were evaluated using MRI on two planes (parasagittal, paracoronal), in both closed-mouth and open-mouth positions. The sequences used were intermediary FLASH and spin echo sequences using T1 or T2 weighting with fat suppression. Examination of the reliability of the MRI evaluations of three independent observers evaluating 60 randomly selected TMJ from among the overall sample using the new evaluation form yielded an average Pearson contingency coefficient of between 0.64 and 0.70 with regard to the 16 parameters studied. In the evaluation of the 77 left (L) and 77 right (R) joints, the biplanar morphology of the disk was the most frequent with 24.7% (L) and 32.5% (R). In paracoronal projection, medial displacement of the disk was seen in 7.9% (L, R) of the cases and lateral displacement in 6.4% (L) and 3.2% (R). The use of the new evaluation form, in combination with MRI of the TMJ, demonstrated a substantial reliability of the diagnoses. In TMD patients, the biconcave disk shape cannot be considered the sole normal, standard situation. The presence of lateral and medial disk displacement should be given more diagnostic consideration.
Ottl
Peter
P
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry ZZMK, Johann Wolfgana Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. ottl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Hohmann
Andreas
A
Piwowarczyk
Andree
A
Hardenacke
Frank
F
Lauer
Hans-Christoph
HC
Zanella
Freidhelm
F
D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology