Evaluation of internal derangement of TMJ by analyzing TMJ sounds

Kim, Tae Woo; Yang, Won Sik; Suhr, Cheong Hoon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of SONOPAK* in internal derangement of TMJ by comparing the spectral analysis data of TMJ sounds recorded by SONOPAK with the results of MRI. From the patients who came to Department of Orthodontics, Seoul National University Dental Hospital for treatment of malocclusion, eighteen adult patients (five males and thirteen females) with TMD symptoms were selected. After joint sounds were checked by a pediatric stethoscope, they were recorded and analyzed by the SONOPAK. The spectral analysis of the SONOPAK provided SONOPAK INTERPRETATION data about the stage of internal derangement, which were compared with the results of MRI. Among the patients whose disc positions were diagnosed as 'normal' by MRI, there were no false positive diagnosis by the SONOPAK INTERPRETATION. But in the cases of anterior disc displacements(reducible and/or nonreducible), most of SONOPAK INTERPRETATION data did not coincide with MRI results. In conclusion, it is not adequate to try to differentiate reducible and non-reducible anterior disc displacements on the basis of joint sounds. And it is recommended not to determine the stage of internal derangement according to the nature of sounds. We suggest that the diagnostic value of the SONOPAK will be enhanced when clinicians combine some other informations such as clinical signs/symptoms and other supplementary diagnostic tools), and that more data be incoporated into the SONOPAK INTERPRETATION software.