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Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging technique for the study of the temporomandibular joint
1Clinic for Masticatory Disorders and Complete Denture, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Aims:
Echo planar imaging (EPI) is an ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can scan a single frame in less than a second. The aim of this study was to use the EPI technique to develop a new dynamic MRI protocol for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Methods:
Basic fast-field echo and EPI pulse sequences were used for dynamic studies of the TMJ. The subjects were instructed to perform spontaneous, continuous, slow opening/closing movements without visual or audio feedback. Different scanning parameter settings were explored to optimize the results.
Results:
With an opening/closing movement of approximately 6 to 7 seconds per cycle, the proposed protocol yielded a good insight into the relative motion between condyle and disc. It was also possible to see the deformation of the disc during movement.
Conclusion:
The EPI technique is a non-invasive technique that can be used for dynamic imaging study of a slow but continuous, uninterrupted jaw movement.