Correlation among the changes observed in temporomandibular joint internal derangements assessed by magnetic resonance in symptomatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess possible correlations among the anatomy and position of the articular disc, the morphology of the articular eminence and of the condyle, and the presence of joint effusion.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance images of 142 joints of symptomatic patients were assessed. The articular disc was classified as normal, elongated, or folded; displacement was classified as normal, anterior with reduction, anterior without reduction, or posterior, lateral, or medial; the condyle was classified as rounded, convex, flattened, or angulated; and the articular eminence was classified as box, sigmoid, flattened, or deformed.


RESULTS
The most frequent forms of the articular disc, articular eminence, and condyle were normal, box, and flattened, respectively. Associations were confirmed between the form of the articular disc and its anterior and lateral positions; between the form of the condyle and an anterior position of the disc; and between the form of the articular eminence and the form of the disc. The form of the articular eminence was the only variant that was not associated to the presence of joint effusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance imaging allowed the clear observation of articular structures, without attributing a cause-and-effect relation. The prevalence of changes observed was associated with the diagnosis of internal derangement and was statistically proved.
Discipline of Dental Radiology, Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. kapanelli@hotmail.com
Karina Cecília Panelli
KC
Santos
Marcelo Eduardo Pereira
ME
Dutra
Luiza Veronica
LV
Warmling
Jefferson Xavier
JX
Oliveira
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013582:Synovial Fluid; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult