Disk and joint morphology variations on coronal and sagittal MRI in temporomandibular joint disorders

This study aims to assess the disk morphology and the condyle position in subjects with temporomandibular (TMJ) disk displacements on sagittal and coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Seventy-four TMJs (from 37 patients) with positive clinical TMD symptoms according to the RDC/TMD axis I protocol were evaluated by 1.5 T MRI. Disk position, disk morphology, sagittal and coronal condyle position, joint effusion, joint space, and coronal condyle angulation were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between disk displacement and MRI variables.

Disk displacement with reduction (DDR) was found in 36.48 % and without reduction (DDwR), in 21.62 % of the joints. Disk displacement was anterior in 35.1 %, anterior-medial in 13.5 %, and anterior-lateral in 9.45 % of cases. The thickened posterior band (94.48 OR, p = 0.001) and the posterior condyle position (4.57 OR, p = 0.03) were more likely found on sagittal MRI in disk displacements. On coronal slices, the disk displacement was significantly associated with the distance from the most medial condyle point to the midplane (p < 0.05).

Disk displacement is associated with changes of disk shape, disk dimension, and condyle position on sagittal MRI. A significant variation of the distance from the most medial condyle point to the midplane in disk displacement was found on coronal MRI.

Our study highlights the existence of changes on coronal MRI in TMD patients which should be assessed for better understanding of the clinical evolution of temporomandibular disorders.