Correlation between MRI evidence of degenerative condylar surface changes, induction of articular disc displacement and pathological joint sounds in the temporomandibular joint
From: Gerodontology. 2008 Dec;25(4):251-7. Epub 2008 Feb 27
The relationship of bony changes in the condylar surfaces in articular disc displacement without reduction in temporomandibular joint was investigated using diagnostic imaging. The study also evaluated whether the bony changes in the condylar surfaces limit disc and condyle motion, and produce pathological joint sounds.
Thirty seven temporomandibular joints in 28 patients diagnosed with degenerative bony changes in the condylar surfaces radiographically and anterior disc displacement without reduction using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were studied. The bony changes were assessed by radiographic examination and classified into two types: pathological bone changes including erosion, osteophyte formation and deformity, and adaptive bone changes including flattening and concavity. MRI was performed on the temporomandibular joint to examine the configuration and position of the discs. Joint sounds in the temporomandibular joint were determined using electrovibratograghy with a joint vibration analysis.
The articular disc motion to the condyle in the pathological bone changes group was smaller than in the adaptive bone changes group irrespective of the configuration of the disc, even though there were no significant differences between the two types of bony changes in the disc position during jaw closing. The joint vibration analysis of the temporomandibular joint showed that joint sounds with a higher frequency were observed in the pathological bone changes group than in the adaptive bone changes group. High energy levels needed to produce the higher frequencies were observed only in the pathological bone changes group.
