Assessing joint effusion and bone changes of the head of the mandible in MR images of symptomatic patients

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between degenerative bone changes of the head of the mandible and the presence of joint effusion (JE). This study was based on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports of 148 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 74 patients complaining of pain and/or dysfunction in the TMJ area. The mandible heads were surveyed for osteoarthritis characteristics, which were classified as osteophytosis, sclerosis or erosion. The presence of JE was checked whenever high signal intensity was observed in the articular space. The results evidenced the presence of bone changes in 30% of the sample. Osteophytes and erosions were the changes most commonly observed. JE was reported in 10% of TMJs. The results from the statistical tests revealed that bone changes in the head of the mandible are associated with the presence of JE.

Degenerative bone changes in TMJ assessed by cone beam computed tomography

“…In this study, 82.1% were female and 17.9% were male, as also reported in other studies [4][5][8][9][10] .…”

“…Degenerative bone changes in the TMJ are significantly more frequent in the condyle than in the articular eminence, and are characterized by the presence of osteophytosis, erosions, pseudocysts, sclerosis, and flattening. These findings are considered to be radiographic signs of osteoarthritis [4][5] . Clinical examination often fails to accurately detect degenerative bone changes and, therefore, radiographic examination is performed to aid in their diagnosis and treatment.…”

Morphological Changes of Condyles and Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index in Patients Treated with Herbst - Orthodontic Appliance

“…MRI has been shown to be efficient in detecting joint disc disorders and changes in the shape of the fossa, eminence and mandibular condyle (14,15). In this study, coronal images prevented false negative diagnoses when interpreting condyle morphology in 16 TMJs (9.19%) and reinforced the diagnosis of condylar remodeling already made using the parasagittal slices in 19 TMJs (10.91%).…”

“…Patients 26 and 29 (disc displacement in both joints) were the only ones with joint pain at palpation at rest at T 1 , but pain disappeared at T 3 and T 4 . Patient 26 had DBD (left condyle), and painful joints are known to be more frequent in the presence of this type of change (15).…”

“…However, radiographs and CT scans are of limited value in imaging the condyle cartilage. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is noninvasive, does not require ionizing radiation for image acquisition and provides direct visualization of the disc and joint structures (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19).…”