Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2016 Jun;38(6):24. 10.1186/s40902-016-0066-0.

Characteristics of temporomandibular joint structures after mandibular condyle fractures revealed by magnetic resonance imaging

• Kim BC
• Lee YC
• Cha HS
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2348207
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-016-0066-0

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate the structural changes of temporomandibular joint immediately after condylar fractures with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHOD: We evaluated 34 subjects of condylar fractures with MRI. The position, shape, and signal intensity of the condyle, disc, and retrodiscal tissue were analyzed with MR images.
RESULTS
Immediately after trauma, the disc was displaced with the fractured segment in almost all cases. And, the changes of signal intensity at the retrodiscal tissue were found but less related to the degree of fracture displacement. And, the high signals were observed almost at all fractured joint spaces and even at some contralateral joints.
CONCLUSIONS
The displaced disc as well as the increased signal intensity of the joint space, condylar head, and retrodiscal tissue demands more attention to prevent the possible sequela of joint.

Keyword

Mandibular condyle; Mandibular fractures; Temporomandibular joint; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Head
Joints
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Mandibular Condyle*
Mandibular Fractures
Methods
Temporomandibular Joint*