Temporomandibular joint imaging.

Abstract

Pain and discomfort caused by internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint are frequent in our society. Patients can present with very divergent complaints, not always clearly related to the temporomandibular joint. Good imaging studies of the temporomandibular joint that can show the presence or absence of a problem and give an idea as to type of disease and its seriousness are, therefore, necessary. The choice of which imaging study to use largely depends on whether MR imaging is easily available. Ongoing investigations show that MR imaging of the temporomandibular joint not only depicts the soft tissue derangements very well, but also shows the associated bony changes. However, the exact significance of disk displacement is not always clear because anterior displacement is also seen in asymptomatic volunteers and after clinically successful treatment.