Computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with temporomandibular joint disorders: 58 cases (2006–2011)

Abstract

Objective To describe CT findings in dogs and cats with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Design Retrospective case-series. Animals 41 dogs and 17 cats. Procedures Medical records and CT images of the skull were reviewed for dogs and cats that were examined at a dentistry and oral surgery specialty practice between 2006 and 2011. Results Of 142 dogs and 42 cats evaluated, 41 dogs and 17 cats had CT findings consistent with a TMJ disorder. In dogs, the most common TMJ disorder was osteoarthritis; however, in most cases, there were other TMJ disorders present in addition to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was more frequently identified at the medial aspect rather than the lateral aspect of the TMJ, whereas the frequency of osteoarthritic involvement of the dorsal and ventral compartments did not differ significantly. In cats, fractures were the most common TMJ disorder, followed by osteoarthritis. Clinical signs were observed in all dogs and cats with TMJ fractures, dysplasia, ankylosis, luxation, and tumors; however, only 4 of 15 dogs and 2 of 4 cats with osteoarthritis alone had clinical signs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Results indicated that TMJ disorders are frequently present in combination. Osteoarthritis was the most common TMJ disorder in dogs and the second most common TMJ disorder in cats. Computed tomography should be considered as a tool for the diagnosis of TMJ disorders in dogs and cats with suspected orofacial disorders and pain.

The temporomandibular joint of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus): Part 2-osteoarthritic changes

“…16,31 Importantly, and in correlation with the finding of the present study, TMJ-OA was found to be the most common disease entity of the TMJ of the domestic dog. 16 In addition, in a human autopsy study macroscopic or microscopic evidence of TMJ-OA in 56% of middle-age to old individuals was found.…”

“…15 In a recent study, we demonstrated that TMJ-OA is the major TMJ disorder in the domestic dog and cat; however, occurring in concert with other TMJ disorders such as dysplasia, trauma, luxation, neoplasia, and masticatory muscle disorders. 16 The disease also occurs in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) but in low frequency without significant association between age and sex with the presence or severity of TMJ-OA. 9 California sea lions are members of family Otariidae ('eared seals').…”

“…[4][5][6][7] Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is reported as the most common disease of the TMJ in several species and occurs due to multiple factors. [8][9][10] It is a degenerative disease that may feature various degrees of inflammation, potentially leading to anatomical abnormalities, pain, and debilitation. [11][12][13][14] In advanced disease, TMJ-OA can restrict the entire masticatory system and resultantly may contribute to morbidity and mortality in wild animals.…”

The temporomandibular joint of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus): Part 1 – Characterisation in health and disease

“…Osteoarthritis is reported to be the most common disease associated with the TMJ and is also present is sea otters. 10,[16][17][18][19] However, the causes of TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) are unclear and may have complex pathophysiology with a multitude of risk factors. 20 It can either be primary or secondary to trauma, abnormal morphology, or other acute or chronic overload situations.…”

Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology of the Walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus )

“…A series of papers has been published on dental and TMJ pathology of marine mammal species: the northern elephant seal (M. angustirostris) (Abbott and Verstraete, 2005), the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) (Arzi et al, 2013a;Winer et al, 2013), the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) (Sinai et al, 2014;Arzi et al, 2015), the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) (Aalderink et al, 2015a) and the eastern Pacific harbour seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) (Aalderink et al, 2015b). In general, museum collections of skulls, such as those making up the aforementioned studies and this study, are obtained from strandings, carcass recovery and donations by rehabilitation centres.…”