TMJ disc position of two sides in multisection MRI analysis in TMD patients.
Dr. Monika Litko-Rola1, Dr. Jacek Szkutnik1, Prof. Ingrid Różyło-Kalinowska2
1 Independent Unit of Functional Masticatory Disorders, Medical University of Lublin, Poland,
2 Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
Objectives
The aim of this investigation was to assess the simultaneous occurrence of various types of disc positions in both temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of the same individual.
Materials and Methods
Multisection magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis was conducted in 191 patients (148 women, 43 men; aged 14–60 years) with clinical symptoms of disc displacements according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). The disc positions of both sides of the same patient were evaluated on all oblique sagittal and coronal images in the intercuspal position (IP) and open-mouth position (OMP).
Results
The studies show a statistically significant convergence of the TMJ disc position in cases of normal, anterior, and anterolateral position in the IP in both TMJs of the same patient. In OMP the lack of disc reposition occurs significantly more often in both joints than in just one, but the strength of this convergence is slightly greater in the frontal plane than in the sagittal plane.
Conclusions
Multisection analysis of MR images shows symmetry in the occurrence of certain types of TMJ disc positions in the same TMD patient, which may confirm that both joints should be considered as one functional unit.