Osseous changes and condyle position in TMJ tomograms: impact of RDC/TMD clinical diagnoses on agreement between expected and actual findings.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of clinical TMJ diagnosis, gender, and age on the agreement between expected and actual radiographic findings.


METHODS
A total of 204 patients with TMJ symptoms were examined using the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD). Expected radiographic findings were recorded. TMJ tomograms in closed and open mouth position were assessed for osseous changes and condyle position. Expected and actual findings were compared. Logistic regression analyses were performed with agreement on radiographic findings as the dependent variable and with clinical RDC/TMD diagnoses, gender and age as the independent variables.


RESULTS
The number of radiographic findings was mostly underestimated. A clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis and age increased the chance of overestimating osseous changes. Disc displacement and age decreased the chance of agreement on certain condyle positions.


CONCLUSIONS
Tomography often revealed unexpected findings. It was not possible to select particular patient groups who would benefit more or less from a radiographic examination.
Department of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark. mwi@odont.ku.dk
Mie
M
Wiese
Ann
A
Wenzel
Hanne
H
Hintze
Arne
A
Petersson
Kerstin
K
Knutsson
Merete
M
Bakke
Thomas
T
List
Peter
P
Svensson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013016:Sound; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*