title: A 15-year follow-up of temporomandibular joint symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging findings in whiplash patients: a prospective, controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the incidence, prevalence, and progression of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and symptoms in patients over a 15-year period after whiplash trauma, compared with control participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty consecutive patients were enrolled directly after whiplash trauma. The study protocol included TMJ MR imaging at inception and 15 years later, as well as a questionnaire and interview at inception, at 1-year follow-up, and at 15-year follow-up. Fifty-seven patients (95%) participated in all three examinations (85% for MR imaging). Fifty matched control participants were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of TMJ symptoms was significantly higher in patients compared with control participants at inception (44% vs 20%, P = .0055) and remained significantly higher throughout the study period. The prevalence of disk displacement did not differ significantly between groups either at inception (63% vs 53%) or at 15-year follow-up (63% vs 55%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This prospective 15-year follow-up suggests that the development of TMJ symptoms, both immediate and delayed, is common in whiplash patients.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. Electronic address: hanna.sale@mah.se.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salé
authors.affiliation: Senior Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bryndahl
authors.affiliation: Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology