title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint disc: feasibility of novel quantitative magnetic resonance evaluation using histologic and biomechanical reference standards.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use the ultrashort time-to-echo magnetic resonance imaging (UTE MRI) technique to quantify short T2* properties (obtained through gradient echo) of a disc from the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to corroborate regional T2* values with biomechanical properties and histologic appearance of the discal tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cadaveric human TMJ was sliced sagittally and imaged by conventional and UTE MRI techniques. The slices were then subjected to either biomechanical indentation testing or histologic evaluation, and linear regression was used for comparison to T2* maps obtained from UTE MRI data. Feasibility of in vivo UTE MRI was assessed in two human volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The UTE MRI technique of the specimens provided images of the TMJ disc with greater signal-to-noise ratio (~3 fold) and contrast against surrounding tissues than conventional techniques. Higher T2* values correlated with lower indentation stiffness (softer) and less collagen organization as indicated by polarized light microscopy. T2* values were also obtained from the volunteers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UTE MRI facilitates quantitative characterization of TMJ discs, which may reflect structural and functional properties related to TMJ dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Sanal
authors.forename: Won C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pauli
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Sheronda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Statum
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Znamirowski
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001391:Azo Compounds; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D003094:Collagen; D004396:Coloring Agents; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D010619:Phenazines; D012015:Reference Standards; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010619:Phenazines; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C009798:C.I. direct red 80; D003094:Collagen; C035906:Fast Green; C009195:safranine T