Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Functional Imaging of Brown Fat in Mice with 18F-FDG micro-PET/CT
Published on: November 23, 2012
TMJ Arthritis Imaging: Conventional Radiograph vs. CT Scan - Is CT Actually Needed?
Richa Modgil1, Karandeep Singh Arora2, Abhishek Sharma3
1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Eklavya Dental College & Hospital, Kotputli, Rajasthan, India.
Objective:
The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of conventional TMJ imaging in depicting osseous changes in mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) by comparing the finding against CT and with an objective that if conventional TMJ imaging modality can appreciate the osseous changes in RA and OA then what is the need for CT scan. Thus further reducing the patient's radiation dose.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 70 patients (40 Rheumatoid Arthritis; 30 Osteoarthritis) were taken in the study aged between 40 - 60 years and divided in to age groups. Then according to clinical history they were divided according to being symptomatic and asymptomatic. Further radiographic examination was carried out. First the trans-cranial view was obtained (conventional view left and right TMJ) and subsequently a CT scan was obtained and the interpretation was carried out to note the osseous changes like erosion, flattening, sclerosis and osteophyte formation.
Results:
After comparison of the two radiographic methods it was observed that both were equally efficacious in evaluating the osseous changes in arthritic patients.
Conclusion:
Thus, it was concluded that when both the radiographic methods (conventional and CT scan) are equally efficacious in evaluating the osseous degenerative changes of TMJ in arthritis. Thus we should prefer the conventional technique so that the patient in not exposed to unnecessary radiation dosage.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Sign Convention
The normal force acts perpendicular to the beam's cross-section and can...
Leaky Scanning

