Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2002 Jun;32(2):99-105.

Transcranial radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of osseous changes of the temporomandibular joint

• Cho SB
• Koh KJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transcranial radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the assessment of osseous changes of the condylar head and articular eminence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Osseous changes of the TMJ were evaluated in forty-three patients. Osseous changes of the condylar head and articular eminence were observed in 41 joints and 64 joints, respectively on transcranial radiographs, and 48 joints and 59 joints, respectively on MRI.
RESULTS
The flattening, sclerosis, erosion, and osteophyte formation of the condylar heads were observed in 36.6%, 43.9%, 12.2%, and 7.3%, respectively on transcranial radiographs compared with 35.4%, 20.8%, 37.5%, and 6.3%, respectively on MRI. While, the flattening, sclerosis, and erosion of the articular eminences were observed in 26.6%, 67.2%, and 6.2%, respectively on transcranial radiographs compared with 32.2%, 59.3%, and 8.5%, respectively on MRI.
CONCLUSION
There were no statistical differences between transcranial radiographs and MRI scans in the detection of osseous changes of the TMJ. However, MRI scans were superior to the transcranial radiographs in the detection of erosion of the condylar head (p<0.01).

Keyword

transcranial radiography; magnetic resonance imaging; temporomandibular joint

MeSH Terms

Head
Humans
Joints
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Osteophyte
Sclerosis
Temporomandibular Joint*