Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Mar;43(1):25-30. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.1.25.

Nontraumatic bifid mandibular condyles in asymptomatic and symptomatic temporomandibular joint subjects

• Cho BH
• Jung YH

• KMID: 2167443
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.1.25

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to determine the prevalence of bifid mandibular condyles (BMCs) in asymptomatic and symptomatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) subjects with no traumatic history, and to assess their impact on clinical and radiographic manifestations of TMJ.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 3,046 asymptomatic and 4,378 symptomatic patients were included in the study. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were reviewed for bifid condyles. T-tests were used to compare the frequency of BMCs when stratified by symptom, gender, and side. In BMC patients, the clinical features of pain and noise, osseous changes, and parasagittal positioning of the condyles were compared between the normally shaped condyle side and the BMC side using chi-squared tests.
RESULTS
Fifteen (0.49%) asymptomatic and 22 (0.50%) symptomatic patients were found to have BMCs. Among the bilateral cases, the number of condyles were 19 (0.31%) and 25 (0.29%), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, between female and male patients, or between the right and left sides (p>0.05). Compared with the normally shaped condyle side, the BMC side showed no statistically significant differences in the distribution of pain and noise, parasagittal condylar position, or condylar osseous changes, with the exception of osteophytes. In the symptomatic group, osteophytes were found more frequently on the normally shaped condyle side than the BMC side (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
BMCs tended to be identified as an incidental finding. The presence of BMC would not lead to any TMJ symptoms or cause osseous changes.

Keyword

Temporomandibular Joint; Mandibular Condyle; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

MeSH Terms

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Female
Humans
Incidental Findings
Male
Mandibular Condyle
Noise
Osteophyte
Prevalence
Temporomandibular Joint

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Measurement of BMC depth.

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  Fig. 2 Condyle presenting mediolateral bifidity. A. Coronal image parallel to the long axis of the condyle. B. Lateral image perpendicular to the long axis of the condyle. C. Coronal image of the 3D reconstructed condyle. D. Lateral image of the 3D reconstructed condyle.

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  Fig. 3 Condyle presenting mediolateral and anteroposterior bifidity. A. Coronal image parallel to the long axis of the condyle. B. Lateral image perpendicular to the long axis of the condyle. C. Coronal image of the 3D reconstructed condyle. D. Lateral image of the 3D reconstructed condyle. E. Aeroview shows a central pit (arrow).

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