ＭＲＩによる顎関節部の画像診断

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) were studied in 58 craniomandibular disorder (CMD) patients and 5 normal volunteers, by taking eitherthe gradient echo or spin echo pulse sequence in combination with the single or dual surface coil.Furthermore, 3 subjects from both groups were also studied with arthrography. Results showedboth the MRI and arthrography to have the same findings in regard to the condyle-disk relationshipat both positions of the mouth closing and opening among the 6 subjects.Although the MRI had previously been thought to provide no evidence of disk adhesion in theupper joint compartment, cine MRI induced by a fast-scan mode enabled us to distinguish those diskswith adhesion from those without. Direction of the disk displacements were judged by combiningthe MRI on the coronal and sagittal planes. The bilateral simultaneous cine MRI was thought tobe of help in evaluating the coordination of the condyle movement associated with each disk.Utilizing the cine MRI with a dual surface coil seemed to have greater value not only in termsof screening TMJs, but also for evaluating the therapy needed for CMD patients.