Dynamic MR Imaging of Internal Derangements of the Temporomandibular Joint: Correlation with Clinical Signsand Symptoms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between findings of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of thetemporomandibular joint (TMJ) and clinical findings in patients with internal derangement of the TMJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic MR images of 130 joints of 65 patients (17 men and 48 women aged 14 to 74 ; mean age, 34)with internal derangement of the TMJ were obtained using a 1.5-T MR imaging system. MR findings of anteriordisplacement, disc deformity and degenerative change were correlated with clinical findings including joint pain,clicking sound, crepitation and maximal mouth opening (MMO). RESULTS: Among 62 joints with TMJ pain, 32 showedanterior displacement without reduction, 15 showed disc deformity and 19 showed degenerative change. Among 49joints in which there was a clicking sound, 24, 8 and 12 joints, respectively, showed the above-mentionedfindings, while in seven with crepitation, these same findings were evident in five, six and four joints,respectively. Bilateral and unilateral joint disorders were observed in 17 and five patients, respectively, among22 with MMO less than 30mm and in 11 and 18 of 42 patients with MMO between 30mm and 60mm. CONCLUSION: On MRimaging, patients with MMO less than 30mm usually showed bilateral joint disorders and those with crepitationshowed chronic change. This indicates that there is high association between clinical findings of internalderangement of TMJ and MR findings.