Mr-imaging of temporomandibular joints in outpatient setting

Research objective: study of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morbidity pattern of patients applied for carrying out a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in out!patient practice on dentist appointment. One hundred temporomandibular joints in fifty patients were examined with the help of APERTO Hitachi MRI (magnetic field intensity was 0,4 TL and specialized coil was used). The research report included obtaining Т1!, Pd! and Т2*!weighted images in slanting saggital and coronary planes. All patients were under function study. During inspection various kinds of internal derangements have been revealed in 90 (90%) joints - disk displacement with reduction in 23 joints, disk displacement without reduction in 30 joints, disk displacement without reduction with a secondary osteoarthrosis in 37 joints. 1 benign tumor is diagnosed. Pathological changes were not revealed in 9 joints. In structure of revealed pathology TMJ internal derangements in the form of disk displacement without reduction with a secondary osteoarthritis prevailed. MRI has provided diagnostics of morphological changes of bones and soft tissue structures of a joint with estimation of their functional condition.