Clinical Correlation Morphology and position in MRI for patients with temperomandibular joint disorder: A Prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are defined as “a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and associated structures, or both”.MRI is an excellent imaging method for evaluating soft tissue abnormalities of the TMJ with a very high predictive value. AIM: The aim of this study is to correlate the clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder with articular disc morphology and position in MRI. METHODOLOGY: A Prospective analytical study was conducted among 15 patients with symptomatic temporomandibular joint disorders. Patients were clinically examined and parameters were recorded. MRI images were taken for these patients and interpreted for articular eminence morphology, articular disc morphology and disc position in open and close mouth. Clinical parameters were then correlated with MRI findings. Data was analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Sigmoid was the most prevalent articular eminence morphology on both right (80.0%) and left (60.0%) TMJ. Biconcave was the predominant disc morphology on both TMJ (66.7%). Disc was posteriorly positioned in open mouth in both TMJ (86.7%) and anterosuperiorly positioned in close mouth in both TMJ(53.3%). CONCLUSION: Though we have correlated numerous clinical and radiographic features we couldn’t conclude any particular clinical feature with radiographic feature which may be due to smaller sample size.