A Study Of Joint Effusion On Temporomandibular Joint Mri

Kim, Joon Bae

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to correlate MR evidence of joint effusion in the temporomandibular joint with disc displacement, disc reducibility, bony change of articular surface, joint pain, muscular tenderness and headache. The temporomandibular joint of TMD patients (94 affected sites and 46 unaffected sites) and 20 asymptomatic volunteers were imaged bilaterally. Sagittal and coronal T1, proton density, and T2-weighted images were obtained. Image findings of joint effusion were correlated with the pathologic changes of articular structures and pain-related symptoms. The results ere s follows: 1. MR showed effusion in 5.0% of asymptomatic joints, 28.3% of unaffected joints and 54.3% of affected joints. Joint effusion was more prevalent in symptomatic joints than symptom-free joints. 2. Disc displacement was observed 2.8% in asymptomatic joints, 37.0% in unaffected joints and 79.8% in affected joints. Joint effusion was more prevalent in displacement was observed joint and the rate of joint effusion increased according to the severity of disc displacement. 3. Nonreduced disc displacement was observed 2.5% in asymptomatic joints, 15.2% in unaffected joints and 53.2% in affected joints. Joint effusion was more prevalent in the disc-displaced joints without reduction. 4. The bony change of articular surface was observed 6.5% in unaffected joints and 12.8% in affected joints. Joint effusion was more prevalent in articular surface-damaged joints but the rate of joint effusion was high in the affected joints with mild damaged articular surface. 5. Joint effusion was seen in 56.9% of mild painful joints and in 85.7% of moderate to severe painful joint. A strong association was seen between joint effusion and moderate to severe joint pain. 6. Joint effusion was seen in 51.2% of the joints without headache and in 56.6% if the moderate to severe painful joint. There was little difference between the presence and the absence of the muscular tenderness. 7. Joint effusion was seen in 51.7% of the joints without headache and in 58.8% of the joint with headache. There was little difference between the presence and the absence of headache, but joint effusion was seen as a high rate(72.7%) in the joints having moderate to severe headache.