Magnetic resonance imaging findings of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, effusion, and bone marrow edema before and after performance of arthrocentesis and hydraulic distension of the temporomandibular joint.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement type III and capsulitis/synovitis are related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnoses of internal derangement, osteoarthrosis (OA), effusion, and/or bone marrow edema (BME), and whether arthrocentesis is associated with changes in diagnoses of internal derangement, OA, effusion, and/or BME.

METHODS

The study comprised 28 patients with a clinical unilateral TMJ disorder of internal derangement type III and capsulitis/synovitis. Bilateral MRI was immediately performed preoperatively and at a 2-month follow-up.

RESULTS

There was a significant relationship between TMJ internal derangement type III and capsulitis/synovitis and TMJ internal derangement (P = .000), effusion (P = .036), and BME (P = .002). MRI showed a significant decrease in diagnoses of TMJ BME ((P = .018).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI variables of internal derangement, effusion, and BME were related to TMJ internal derangement type III and capsulitis/synovitis; however, arthrocentesis was only associated with a significant change in diagnoses of TMJ BME.