Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify and correlate myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in the masticatory muscles, using thermography and algometry. Methods: 26 female volunteers were recruited. The surface facial area over the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was divided into 15 subareas on each side (n 5 780). This investigation consisted of three steps. The first step involved thermographic facial examination, using lateral views. The second step involved the pressure pain threshold (PPT), marking the MTP pattern areas for referred pain (n 5 131) and local pain (n 5 282) with a coloured pencil, and a photograph of the lateral face with the head in the same position as the infrared imaging. The last step was the fusion of these two images, using dedicated software (ReporterH 8.5-SP3 Professional Edition and QuickReportH 1.2, FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, OR); and the calculation of the temperature of each point. Results: PPT levels measured at the points of referred pain in MTPs (1.28 ¡ 0.45 kgf) were significantly lower than the points of local pain in MTPs (1.73 ¡ 0.59 kgf; p , 0.05). Infrared imaging indicated differences between referred and local pain in MTPs of 0.5 u C (p , 0.05). Analysis of the correlation between the PPT and infrared imaging was done using the Spearman non-parametric method, in which the correlations were positive and moderate (0.4 # r , 0.7). The sensitivity and specificity in MTPs were 62.5% and 71.3%, respectively, for referred pain, and 43.6% and 60.6%, respectively, for local pain. Conclusion: Infrared imaging measurements can provide a useful, non-invasive and nonionizing examination for diagnosis of MTPs in masticatory muscles.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the facial areas defined by thermal gradient, in individuals compatible with the pattern of normality, and to quantify and describe them anatomically. Methods: The sample consisted of 161 volunteers, of both genders, aged between 26 and 84 years (63 ± 15 years). Results:The results demonstrated that the thermal gradient areas suggested for the study were present in at least 95% of the thermograms evaluated and that there is significant difference in temperature between the genders, racial group and variables "odontalgia", "dental prothesis" and "history of migraine" (p , 0.05). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the absolute temperatures between ages, and right and left sides of the face, in individuals compatible with the pattern of normality (DT 5 0.11°C). Conclusions: The authors concluded that according to the suggested areas of thermal gradients, these were present in at least 95% of all the thermograms evaluated, and the areas of high intensity found in the face were medial palpebral commissure, labial commissure, temporal, supratrochlear and external acoustic meatus, whereas the points of low intensity were inferior labial, lateral palpebral commissure and nasolabial.

Mandibular trabecular bone shows a promising attempt of accurate detection of osteoporotic changes in some regions of the jaws. Fractal analysis and pixel intensity had strong positive correlation.

Objectives: This study aims to conduct a non-invasive measurement of the cutaneous temperature of selected masticatory muscle regions of volunteers with and without myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMD), using infrared thermography. Methods: 23 females (10 myogenous TMD volunteers and 13 controls) were recruited and studied. The temperature at the surface of the facial area over the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles was assessed by medical thermography, using regional lateral views and clinical examination. Results: The temperature levels measured at the masseter and anterior temporalis muscle regions in myogenous TMD volunteers (32.85 ± 0.85 and 34.37 ± 0.64 ºC, respectively) were significantly lower (p , 0.05) than those measured in controls (33.49 ± 0.92 and 34.78 ± 0.44 ºC, respectively). Medical infrared imaging indicated a mean difference of 1.4 ºC between the masseter and anterior temporalis regions. Analysis of the comparison between the absolute and normalized mean temperatures was performed using the pairwise comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves, and no statistically significant difference was observed (p . 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the thermographic assessment for the masseter region was of 70% and 73%, respectively and for the anterior temporalis region was of 80% and 62%, respectively. Conclusions: This method of evaluating masticatory muscle regions of this preliminary study seems to indicate that it can be used as an aid in complimentary diagnosing of TMDs. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2014) 43, 20130440. doi: 10.1259 Cite this article as: Haddad DS, Brioschi ML, Vardasca R, Weber M, Crosato EM, Arita ES. Thermographic characterization of masticatory muscle regions in volunteers with and without myogenous temporomandibular disorder: preliminary results.

Knowledge of the Eagle's syndrome shows that its symptoms can be very easily confused with other types of craniomandibular disorders, especially temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to find a possible correlation between the presence of TMD and elongation of the styloid process as well relate to presence of calcification of the stilohyoid chain. Fifty patients with TMD, confirmed from the RDC/TMD, were examined clinically and radiographically. Radiographic documentation consisted of digital panoramic radiograph and digital lateral cephalometric radiograph. Radiocef software (Radiomemory) was used for the analysis of radiographs by means of specific cephalometric tracing and linear measurements of the styloid process. Each radiograph was traced and measured three times with intervals of 1 month to spread the error. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's test (p=0.001) using Biostat 4.0 statistical software. Result showed an incidence of 76% elongation of the styloid process in the sample. There was a correlation between the bilateral measures taken in panoramic radiographs (р<0.001) and also for measures of styloid process length carried out in different panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalometric radiographs (р<0.001). It was concluded that there is prevalence of elongated styloid process in patients with TMD. However, no relationship was found between measurements on the stylohyoid chain and symptoms of headache, orofacial pain, tinnitus and vertigo.

There are many limitations to image acquisition, using conventional radiography, of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. The Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a better option, due to its higher accuracy, for purposes of diagnosis, surgical planning and treatment of bone injuries. The aim of the present study was to analyze two protocols of cone beam computed tomography for the evaluation of simulated mandibular condyle bone lesions. Spherical lesions were simulated in 30 dry mandibular condyles, using dentist drills and drill bits sizes 1, 3 and 6. Each of the mandibular condyles was submitted to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using two protocols: 1) axial, coronal and sagittal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR); and 2) sagittal plus coronal slices throughout the longitudinal axis of the mandibular condyles. For these protocols, 2 observers analyzed the CBCT images independently, regarding the presence or not of injuries. Only one of the observers, however, performed on 2 different occasions. The results were compared to the gold standard, evaluating the percentage of agreement, degree of accuracy of CBCT protocols and observers' examination. The z test was used for the statistical analysis. The results showed there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 protocols. There was greater difficulty in the assessment of small-size simulated lesions (drill # 1). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that CBCT is an accurate tool for analyzing mandibular condyle bone lesions, with the MPR protocol showing slightly better results than the sagittal plus coronal slices throughout the longitudinal axis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate radiomorphometric indices in dental panoramic radiographs in order to identify possible interrelationships between these indices and the sex and age of the patients analyzed. The study included 1287 digital panoramic radiographic images of patients that were grouped into five age groups (1 = age 17–20; 2 = age 21–35; 3 = age 36–55; 4 = age 56–69; 5 = over age 70). Two indices—cortical width at the gonion (GI) and below the mental foramen (MI)—were measured bilaterally in all panoramic radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 0.05). Results for the indices measurements showed significant differences among patient age groups of both sexes, considering that groups 4 and 5 presented lower values for the cortical width of both indices. The present paper supports the role of sex- and age-related changes in mandibular radiomorphometric indices in identifying skeletal osteopenia.

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common form of human dwarfism and has been associated with biochemical alterations of the bone tissue, also observed in cases of osteoporosis. The present case series aimed at assessing low bone density, diagnosed with spinal bone mineral density (BMD) analysis and with panoramic radiograph measurements, in ACH patients. Spinal BMD was measured by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar region (L1-L4). On dental panoramic radiographs of the patients, the mandibular cortical width was measured separately on the right and left sides. The Klemetti Index was also assigned as appropriate for evaluating the cortical area below the mandibular foramen. Additional parameters such as patient age, gender, body mass index, and number of teeth were also recorded. BMD results showed that 5/11 cases presented with skeletal osteopenia/osteoporosis diagnoses. Additionally, mandibular cortical erosion was detected in panoramic radiographs in 8/11 cases. The BMD and panoramic radiographic alterations found in this study suggest that the diagnosis of low bone density may have a special clinical relevance in cases of bone tissue disorders, such as achondroplasia.