Characteristics of the patients with temporomandibular joint effusion on magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in the region of temporomandibular joint (TMJ), particularly to examine disc position and configuration, posterior disc attachment, and mandibular marrow status and to assess the presence of TMJ effusion. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the patients with TMJ effusion on MRI. Materials and Methods: MR images of 98 TMJs of 49 patients with temporomandibular disorders were evaluated in this study. The patients with TMJ effusion were concerning age, gender, TMJ pain, disc displacement with or without reduction, and osteoarthrosis. Results: The incidence of the patients with TMJ effusion was significantly different between male (19.2%) and female (51.4%, P = 0.005) and between TMJ pain present (53.7%) and absent (29.5%, P = 0.024), respectively. Logistic multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that gender (odds ratio = 4.188, P = 0.012) and TMJ pain (odds ratio = 2.704, P = 0.027) were significant in patients with TMJ effusion. Conclusions: This study suggests that characteristics of the patients with TMJ effusion include female and TMJ pain.

Keywords

• Disc displacement
• joint effusion
• magnetic resonance imaging
• osteoarthrosis
• temporomandibular joint imaging