Magnetic resonance imaging observation of bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle in patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle and osteoarthritic changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a group of symptomatic patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: MRI data of 96 TMJ dysfunction patients were investigated for association between bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle and TMJ osteoarthritis. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and P values less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: There was statistically significant association between osteoarthritis and bone marrow edema of mandibular condyle. Conclusion: Bone marrow edema of the mandibular condyle appears to be a predictor of TMJ osteoarthritis. Further histology-based MRI data are needed to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of TMJ osteoarthritis.