title: A comparative analysis of magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic examinations of patients with atypical odontalgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine (1) the occurrence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal changes in the painful regions of patients with atypical odontalgia (AO) and (2) the correlation of such findings to periapical bone defects detected with a comprehensive radiographic examination including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients (mean age 52 years, range 34 to 65) diagnosed with AO participated. Mean pain intensity (± standard deviation) was 5.6 ± 1.8 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale, and mean pain duration was 4.3 ± 5.2 years. The inclusion criterion was chronic pain (> 6 months) located in a region with no clear pathologic cause identified clinically or in periapical radiographs. In addition to a clinical examination and a self-report questionnaire, the assessments included radiographic examinations (panoramic, periapical, and CBCT images), and an MRI examination. Changes in MRI signal in the painful region were recorded. Spearman's rank correlation between radiographic and MRI findings was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight of the patients (40%) had MRI signal changes in the pain region. The correlation to radiographic periapical radiolucencies was 0.526 (P = .003). Of the eight teeth displaying changes in MRI signal, six showed periapical radiolucency in the radiographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI examination revealed no changes in the painful region in a majority of patients with AO, suggesting that inflammation was not present. MRI findings were significantly correlated to radiographic findings.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Pigg
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: List
authors: Kasim
authors: K
authors: Abul-Kasim
authors: Pavel
authors: P
authors: Maly
authors: Arne
authors: A
authors: Petersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001047:Apicoectomy; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014098:Toothache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging