The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique in temporomandibular joint disorders (A case report)

Abstract

Conventional roentgenographic techniques, clinical examinations and case history evaluations may not always lead the practitioner to a successful diagnosis in tem-poromandibular joint dysfunctions. Internal derangements, described as a ligamentary discoordination between either the articular disc and the condyle or articular eminence, account for a significant majority of TMJ disturbances. The improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques during the past few years have contributed a great deal to the accurate diagnosing of the TMJ derangements. MRI which utilizes non ionizing radiation is a technique that is based upon nucle¬ar magnetizm, capable of accurately imaging the functional TMJ disorders which may be preceeded by soft tissue pathologies. In this article a case of postoperative persistent trismus and anterior disc displace¬ment without reduction, both of which demontstrated similar clinical findings, are being discussed after establishing a differential diagnosis using the MRI tech¬nique. The images obtained after the per-venous administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent have proved the trismus in this particular case not to be a matter related with disc displacement but have indicated it to be caused by the penetra¬tion of the infection within the TMJ musculature, a diagnosis which has led to a successful treatment radically finalized by physical therapy and mechanotherapy.