Comparative diagnosis of specific temporomandibular joint arthralgias by means of computerised tomography

In general, it is not easy to make the correct clinical diagnosis of a specific internal derangement of the arthralgias. The ten types of internal derangements, with desynchronisation between the meniscus and the condyle, may present clinically with localised sounds, such as clicking, grating and grinding, or without any sounds. Computerised tomography is one of the few non-invasive aids used for obtaining a more accurate diagnosis of arthralgia or anatopathological problems of the joint. The sagittal and coronal alignment of the skull and joint in the gantry, the specific highlighting of the meniscus and use of different types of occlusal splints, are all necessary for the accurate diagnosis of an internal derangement. The examination of 118 such joints is presented in this paper.