Clinical evaluation of internal joint derangement using sonography

Currently, the most precise method for imaging the soft tissue of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but this technique is often unavailable because of its high cost or is otherwise unsuitable. In the absence of complete information about the TMJ disc, treatment decisions are based only on the results of clinical exams and conventional radiography of TMJ hard tissues. This study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography (HR-US) in the detection of TMJ disc displacement. MRI and sonography were performed on 16 TMJs in ten patients who were diagnosed with anterior disc displacement (ADD), and the findings of the sonography and MRI examinations were compared. All cases of ADD diagnosed by sonography were confirmed by MRI. HR-US is a reliable technique for imaging the TMJ disc that can be used for TMJ diagnosis and treatment planning. (author)