The changes of joint effusion on MRI and arthroscopic findings after visually guided TMJ irrigation correlated to the clinical outcome.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the changes of joint effusion (JE) on the MRI and arthroscopically observed pathology after visually guided TMJ irrigation (VGIR) in patients with chronic closed lock. The correlation of these findings to the clinical outcome was also studied.


METHODS
Forty patients with unilateral chronic closed lock who underwent 2-time VGIR, were divided into either the good outcome (g-) group (n = 29) or poor outcome (p-) group (n = 11) after the first VGIR. Before each VGIR, the each severity of JE, osteoarthritis, synovitis, and fibrous adhesion were assessed. They were compared between the g- and p-groups, or between the first and second VGIR.


RESULTS
The severity of JE at the first VGIR was significantly worse in the p-group. In both groups, JE significantly improved after the first VGIR. In the g-group, synovitis significantly improved after the first VGIR, but fibrous adhesion significantly became worse.


CONCLUSIONS
JE may be predictive for the clinical outcome of TMJ irrigation in chronic closed lock patients. Moreover, the severity of JE and arthroscopically observed synovitis could reflect the clinical state to some degree.
Nakaoka
Kazutoshi
K
First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Tsurumi-Ku, Yokohama, Japan. nakaoka-k@tsurumi.u.ac.jp
Hamada
Yoshiki
Y
Holmlund
Anders B
AB
Saito
Tomoyuki
T
Arai
Go
G
Horiuchi
Toshikatsu
T
Mishima
Akira
A
Seto
Kanichi
K
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000145:classification; D010147:Pain Measurement; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013582:Synovial Fluid; D013585:Synovitis / Q000145:classification; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000145:classification; D016896:Treatment Outcome