Intra-articular calcifications of the temporomandibular joint and associations with degenerative bone alterations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to determine the prevalence of calcifications in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to evaluate any associations between the presence of such calcifications and degenerative bone alterations of the TMJ, sex, or age. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,058 CBCT exams were analyzed, and data regarding the presence and quantity of calcifications, the affected side, any degenerative alterations of the condyle, sex, and age were collected. To evaluate associations between the presence of calcifications and sex or age, the Fisher exact test or the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, was used. To assess the association between the presence of calcifications and joint bone alterations, the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. The significance level adopted was 5% (P<0.05). Results: Twenty-eight patients (2.7%) presented with TMJ calcifications, including 23 women (82.1%) and 5 men (17.9%). Significant correlations were found between the presence of calcifications and age (P<0.05) and between the presence of calcifications and the presence of condylar alterations (P<0.05), with 73.2% of patients with bone alterations having TMJ calcifications. Conclusion: It may be concluded that, although rare (with a prevalence of only 2.7%), intra-articular calcifications are associated with both degenerative bone alterations and age.

Prevalence and Radiographic Features of Head and Neck Soft Tissue Calcifications on Digital Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study

“…In the present study, 62.5% of all TMJ calcifications were in females although this relationship did not reach statistical significance. Our data support the findings of Almeida et al who reported the presence of unilateral TMJ calcifications that were correlated with age but not gender [15].…”

“…Various studies suggest the presence of a gender and age bias in the development of calcifications [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In agreement with previous CBCT and PR studies [24,25,30], we found STCs to be related to both age and gender; however, our data was in contrast to the CBCT results of Misias et al [27].…”

“…To our knowledge, none of the studies examining STCs using DPR so far have investigated the presence of calcified bodies in the TMJ. Previous TMJ-specific studies have reported its calcification to be generally unilateral and was commonly seen in women aged 40-60 years [ 14 , 15 ]. In the present study, 62.5% of all TMJ calcifications were in females although this relationship did not reach statistical significance.…”

Diagnostic significance of magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing temporomandibular disorders: a retrospective chart review

“…Degenerative changes in articular bone, cartilage, and discs can be detected by MRI. Although CT has higher specificity and sensitivity than MRI in the diagnosis of bone changes, Liu et al found the accuracy of MRI in determining the location, morphology and evaluation of intervertebral discs [ 11 ]. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis should be based on the evaluation of MRI images in combination with clinical examination.…”