Image analysis of temporomandibular joint space and its application to diagnosis

Tomography is clinically useful in the diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. The TMJ is formed by the condyle and the glenoid fossa, and there exists TMJ space between them. Image processing was employed in the present study, and the reference points of the condyle and the glenoid fossa were determined from the tomogram. Subsequently, the TMJ space and the shape factors of the condyle and the glenoid fossa were measured automatically in the image analysis. The TMJs of four patients were examined practically and the characteristics of each result were studied. There is a possibility of distinguishing an abnormal sample from a normal one by making use of the TMJ space and the distance between two reference points. The shape factor is also applicable and it can be used to detect deformation of the condyle. (author)