MRI study of temporomandibular joint disc position in asymptomatic volunteers

• Main Authors: ZHOU Pin, LI Yang ⁃fei
• Format: Article
• Language: zho
• Published: Editorial Department of Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2017-04-01
• Series: 口腔疾病防治
• Subjects: Magnetic resonance imaging; Temporomandibular joint disc; Temporomandibular joint; Con⁃ dyle; Disc position
• Online Access: http://www.kqjbfz.com/EN/10.12016/j.issn.2096-1456.2017.04.008
• ISSN: 2096-1456; 2096-1456

Objective To investigate the position of temporomandibular joint and its relationship with gender and side in asymptomatic volunteers by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods The study was based on bilateral MRIs of 30 asymptomatic volunteers, including 15 females and 15 males. A total of 60 temporamandibular joints were scanned oblique⁃sagittally and oblique⁃coronarily at mouth closed positions. Classification of the position of temporoman⁃ dibular joint disc was identified and analyzed according to MRI. Results Superior disk position was observed in 45 joints (75%), consisting of 20 in female plus 25 in male, and 23 at the right side plus 22 at the left side. Anterior disk posi⁃ tion was observed in 7 joints (11.67%), consisting of 5 in female plus 2 in male, and 5 at the right side plus 2 at the left side. Lateral disk position was observed in 6 joints (10%), consisting of 3 in female plus 3 in male, and 2 at the right side plus 4 at the left side. Medial disk position was observed in 2 joints (3.33%), consisting of 0 in female plus 2 in male, and 0 at the right side plus 2 at the left side. No posterior disk position was observed in asymptomatic volunteers. There was no significant difference between genders or sides (P > 0.05). Conclusion Superior disk positionexists in most of asymp⁃ tomatic volunteers. Disc displacement also existsin asymptomatic volunteers, however it is not associated with gender and side. Rotational anterolateral positon is the main type of disc displacement in asymptomatic volunteers.