Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis by Panoramic Radiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

1. Abstract 1.1.Objective: To assess the temporomandibular joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by both panoramic radiography and MRI. 1.2.Study design: Panoramic radiograph and MRI imaging were performed to forty joints of twenty patients from both sexes and varying ages, complaining of signs and/or symptoms of TMJ involvement. Diagnoses of Rheumatoid Arthritis were according to 1987 ACR criteria for RA. All images were analyzed and scored. 1.3.Results:Comparison between panorama and MRI revealed that there was statistically significant difference regard condyles position in panorama and condylar osseous changes in MRI, temporal cortical bone integrity in panorama and osseous condylar changes in MRIs and finally joints space narrowing in panorama and disc position, disc morphology, and joint effusion in MRIs. While, there was no statistically significant difference regard condyles morphology in panorama and osseous condylar changes in MRIs, and finally joint space narrowing in panorama and revealed retrodiscal band hyper intense signal detected in MR images. Conclusion:There is a significant relation between TMJ involvement and RA disease called TMD-RA. Early diagnosis and management of RA presents an important opportunity to alter the course of this progressive disease. MRI has a great role in detection of early involvement of TMJ in RA patients. This study recommends investigating TMJ in all diagnosed RA patients by MRI as a routine diagnostic tool due to its marvelous benefits.