[Arthrography of the temporomandibular joint]

In 1989, opaque contrast arthrography of temporomandibular joint is still seldom used. A brief historical review of the procedure is presented here, and the technique of puncturing the menisco-condylar and menisco-temporal compartments is discussed. The value of injecting opaque contrast material into the lower compartment and carrying out kinetic and tomographic studies as well as bilateral examinations is stressed. Normal aspects are described with their variants, as well as pathological ones (reducible and non-reducible luxations, perforations, distension of the bilaminar zone, adhesions, etc.). Both the place of arthrography in relation to other investigations (TDM, IRM) and its indications for visualization of menisco-condylar problems are discussed.