[Temporomandibular joint and rheumatoid polyarthritis. X-ray computed tomographic aspects]

Direct coronal computed tomography (CT) examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was performed in 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 26 control subjects. Changes in condylar shape, erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle and condylar head resorption were more frequent among the RA group than the control group. Only the erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle had a significantly higher frequency in the RA group than in the control group (p less than 0.05). Bone changes were bilateral in RA. Coronal view of the CT examination allow a clear visualization of the osseous elements of the TMJ but a control group is absolutely necessary to affirm with certainty the rheumatoid origin of the bone changes. The erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle and their bilateral nature are the most specific features of RA on TMJ.