Diagnostic accuracy of microcomputed tomography for osseous abnormalities in the rat temporomandibular joint condyle.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of in vivo micro-CT for osseous abnormalities of the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle, using macroscopic observations as the "gold standard".


METHODS
A 30 TMJ arthritis model was prepared by injecting inflammatory complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into one side of the TMJ cavities of rats. The TMJ condyles were then imaged using micro-CT. The samples were macroscopically evaluated for osseous abnormalities, including erosions, osteophytes, flattening and concavity. The micro-CT images were independently assessed for abnormalities using the same criteria. Images in three planes were produced using the micro-XYZ technique with the micro-CT equipment.


RESULTS
According to the macroscopic observations, 26 of the 60 rat condyles showed osseous abnormalities. The micro-XYZ images detected abnormalities in 25 of the condyles. The condyle diagnostic accuracy of micro-CT was 0.98, the sensitivity was 0.96 and the specificity was 1.0.


CONCLUSIONS
Good diagnostic results were obtained using micro-CT. It is therefore an effective technique for the evaluation of osseous abnormalities in the rat TMJ condyle.
Kameoka
S
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
Kuroki
Y
Y
Honda
K
K
Kijima
N
N
Matsumoto
K
K
Asano
M
M
Arai
Y
Y
Shirakawa
T
T
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography