Texture Analysis of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Changes Associated with Effusion Using Magnetic Resonance Images

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the temporomandibular joint disc affected by effusion by using texture analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRIs). Methods: A total of 223 images of the TMJ, 42 with joint effusion and 181 without, were analyzed. Three consecutive slices were then exported to MaZda software, in which two oval ROIs (one in the anterior band and another in the intermediate zone of the joint disc) were determined in each slice and eleven texture parameters were calculated by using a gray-level co-occurrence matrix. Spearman’s correlation coefficient test was used to assess the correlation between texture variables and to select variables for analysis. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the groups. Results: The significance level was set at 5%, with the results demonstrating that there was no high correlation between the parameter directions. It was possible to observe a trend between the average parameters, in which the group with effusion always had smaller values than the group without effusion, except for the parameter measuring the difference in entropy. Conclusion: The trend towards lower overall values for the texture parameters suggested a different behavior between TMJ discs affected by effusion and those not affected, indicating that there may be intrinsic changes.

Relationship Between Temporomandibular Joint Effusion, Pain, and Jaw Function Limitation: A 2D and 3D Comparative Study

“…For example, a recent study by Girondi et al reported the employment of MRI texture analysis (TA) in detecting changes in TMJ discs due to effusion. 34 The findings revealed that patients with effusion showed lower average imaging parameters, suggesting the presence of underlying changes that are not discernible through conventional visual inspection of MRI. 34 …”

“… 34 The findings revealed that patients with effusion showed lower average imaging parameters, suggesting the presence of underlying changes that are not discernible through conventional visual inspection of MRI. 34 …”

“…For example, a recent study by Girondi et al reported the employment of MRI texture analysis (TA) in detecting changes in TMJ discs due to effusion. 34 The findings revealed that patients with effusion showed lower average imaging parameters, suggesting the presence of underlying changes that are not discernible through conventional visual inspection of MRI. 34 On the other hand, our study used VAS and JFLS-8, two kinds of classical patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate the subjective perception of participants about the influence of TMD symptoms.…”

“…34 The findings revealed that patients with effusion showed lower average imaging parameters, suggesting the presence of underlying changes that are not discernible through conventional visual inspection of MRI. 34 On the other hand, our study used VAS and JFLS-8, two kinds of classical patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate the subjective perception of participants about the influence of TMD symptoms. Other frequently used PROMs include the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessing quality of life and mental well-being.…”