MRI findings of patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangement: before and after performance of arthrocentesis and stabilization splint.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement before and after performance of arthrocentesis and stabilization splint therapy.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with unilateral TMJ internal derangement that was successfully treated were included in this study. The clinical outcome and changes in the disc position, disc mobility, disc morphology, joint effusion, bone marrow edema pattern in the mandibular condyle, and the degenerative change before and after arthrocentesis and stabilization splint therapy were compared using MRI.


RESULTS
The average maximum mouth opening (MMO) was increased and the average pain during MMO was decreased significantly after treatment. The disc position, disc mobility, and joint effusion were significantly improved after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results in this study indicate that arthrocentesis and stabilization splint therapy provide significant improvement in the clinical outcome, disc position, disc mobility and joint effusion.
Lee
Sang-Hwa
SH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yoon
Hyun-Joong
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019152:Paracentesis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult