Correlation between MRI evidence of degenerative condylar surface changes, induction of articular disc displacement and pathological joint sounds in the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

The articular disc motion to the condyle in the PBC group was smaller than in the ABC group irrespective of the configuration of the disc, even though there were no significant differences between the two types of bony changes in the disc position during jaw closing. The joint vibration analysis of the TMJ showed that joint sounds with a higher frequency were observed in the PBC group than in the ABC group. High energy levels needed to produce the higher frequencies (over 300 Hz) were observed only in the PBC group.

Temporomandibular joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis

“…AKERMAN et al studied the relationship between clinical and radiological TMJ findings in 101 patients with RA and found that although 80% of the TMJs that presented with crepitation also exhibited radiographic evidence of erosion, crepitation revealed a low sensibility in detecting joints with erosion, since half of the joints with erosion presented with either a click or no sound at all 1 . Lack of sounds in spite of joint damage may be a result of remodelling and adaptation of the articular surfaces 19 .…”

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: cone beam computed tomography findings, clinical features, and correlations

“…17,29 Ogütcen-Toller 29 suggested that clicking and crepitation may be looked on as signs of an abnormal joint disorder, with clicking indicating anterior disc displacement with reduction and crepitation indicating progression from anterior disc displacement without reduction to degenerative arthritis. According to Honda et al, 30 pathological bone changes including erosion, osteophyte formation, and deformity are associated with joint sounds with a higher frequency.…”

Can MRI Observations Predict Treatment Outcome of Lavage in Patients with Painful TMJ Disc Displacement without Reduction?

“…Sato et al [8] took MR images before and after arthroscopic lysis and lavage and found no correlation between joint effusion and the clinical condition after treatment. Some discussion has considered erosive cortical changes in the condyle to be an accurate finding with a high impact for patients presenting with TMJ pain and joint sounds [20,21]. Such a pathologic lesion in the condylar head increases joint friction, and it is conceivable that risk of pain and dysfunction in the joint increases.…”