Objective:
To evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of ultrasound (US) guided autologous blood injection (ABI) for the treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Centre for medical education and research.
Participants (or Animals, Specimens, Cadavers):
Ninteen patients with chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation (Fifteen bilateral and fourteen unilateral).
Interventions:
Autologous blood injected, 2ml in superior joint space (SJS) and 1 ml in peri-capsular tissue (PT) under ultra sound guidance.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Reduction in number of dislocation episodes, maximal mouth opening, pain (visual analogue scale) and TMJ sounds (present or absent) at the end of 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Results:
At 2 weeks post operatively 18 patients (95%) were asymptomatic only one patient (5%) complained of Recurrence of dislocation and was treated successfully by a 2
nd
injection. At subsequent follow up visits none reported dislocation.
Conclusion(s):
US guided ABI for patients with chronic recurrent TMJ dislocations serves as an alternative, minimally invasive, highly effective and accurate modality of treatment since it includes exposure without radiation, real-time visualization of soft tissues, visualization of the needle tip advancement, local anesthetic spread relevant to the surrounding structures which can be performed on an outpatient basis.