MR evidence of characteristics in symptomatic osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint: increased signal intensity ratio on proton density-weighted images of bone marrow in the mandibular condyle

• Published in: Cranio Vol. 25; no. 4; p. 250
• Main Authors: Yajima, Aya, Sano, Tsukasa, Otonari-Yamamoto, Mika, Otonari, Takamichi, Ohkubo, Mai, Harada, Takuya, Wakoh, Mamoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.2007
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arthralgia - etiology; Arthralgia - pathology; Bone Marrow - pathology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Mandibular Condyle - pathology; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis - complications; Osteoarthritis - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Statistics, Nonparametric; Temporomandibular Joint - physiopathology; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - complications; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - pathology
• ISSN: 0886-9634
• DOI: 10.1179/crn.2007.038

The purpose of this study was to clarify the presence of pain and a correlation between pain and characteristics of signal intensity of mandibular bone marrow in temporomandibular joints (TMJ) with osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 196 joints in 98 patients with TMJ disorders were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A pain score and signal intensity on mandibular bone marrow were analyzed in the TMJ with OA. TMJ with OA showed a higher degree of pain compared to those without (p < 0.05). During opening, the joints in the higher signal intensity group showed a significantly higher degree of pain compared to the joints in the lower signal intensity group in those with OA on proton density weighted images (p < 0.05). It was concluded that TMJ with osteoarthritis is related to pain and that a symptomatic osteoarthritic TMJ can accompany bone marrow changes in the condyle, showing an increased signal on proton density weighted images.