Magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of temporomandibular joint disk and posterior attachment in patients with internal derangement

Jeong, Yeon Hwa; Cho, Bong Hae

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze the possible association between magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of temporo-mandibular joint disk and posterior attachment, and the type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration, effusion and clinical signs in patients with internal derangement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Magnetic resonance images of the 132 temporomandibular joints of 66 patients with temporomandibular joint displacement were analyzed. The clinical findings were obtained by retrospective review of the patients' records. The type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration and effusion were evaluated on the proton density MR images. The signal intensity from the anterior band, posterior band and posterior attachment were measured on MR images. The associations between the type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration, effusion and clinical signs and the MR signal intensity of disk and posterior attachment were statistically analyzed by student's t-test.
RESULTS
Of 132 joints, 87 (65.9%) showed anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADR) and 45 (34.1%) showed anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADnR). The signals from posterior attachments were lower in joints with ADnR than those of ADR (p<0.05). The results showed statistically significant (p<0.05) association between the type and extent of disk displacement and disk configuration, and decreased signal intensity of posterior attachment. There were no statistical associations between pain, noise and limited mouth opening, and signal intensity of disk and posterior attachment.
Conclusions
: The average signal from posterior attachment was lower in joints with ADnR than that of ADR. The type and extent of disk displacement and disk configuration appeared to be correlated with the signal intensity from posterior attachment.