Diagnosis of disk displacement using real-time MRI: Clinical report of two patients

The clinical application of real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disk displacement (DD) with and without reduction is presented. In 2 patients with presumed DD, real-time MRI at 15 frames per second was performed during the natural opening and closing of the mouth. In one patient unilateral DD with reduction and in the other patient bilateral DD without reduction were observed. In contrast with conventional static MRI, real-time MRI moving images of temporomandibular joint DD offer comprehensive information about the dynamics of all involved structures, which in turn promises more reliable diagnoses. Real-time MRI is more rapid, more reliable, more informative, and less stressful for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).