Temporomandibular Joint Imaging: Practical Application of Available Technology

The diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disease: two-compartment arthrography and MR

“…Pain has been commonly associated with TMJ arthrography, dissuading many clinicians from using this procedure for evaluating symptomatic patients [12,33]. The use of a thin needle and single skin puncture permits a skilled arthrographer to opacify both joint compartments with a minimum of patient discomfort and soft-tissue trauma.…”

“…protruded posteroanterior views of the skull base and mandible, combined with tightly collimated closed-and openmouth lateral TMJ tomograms [22,25,33]. These screening radiographic procedures provide valuable information with regard to side-to-side skull base and condylar symmetry , condyle positioning within the glenoid fossa, and the presence or absence of degenerative bony changes.…”

Facial Pain, Headache, and Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation

“…Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a common affliction which in most circumstances is easily diagnosed with surface coil magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. [1][2][3][4][5][6] The pathogenesis of joint pain in association with internal derangements has been poorly understood and subject to considerable speculation. A common belief is that TMJ and facial pain is a consequence of masticator muscle dysfunction and/or malocclusion, which has focused considerable attention on dentition and occlusal adjustment as treatment for these clinical disorders.…”