Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint using FLASH sequences

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a suitable modality for the visualization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in both normal and pathologic conditions. Until recently, MRI had been unable to provide diagnostic dynamic images of the TMJ during opening. A series of 30 TMJ MRI examinations of 17 symptomatic patients and two normal volunteers (15 to 43 years old; 14 men and five women) was performed. Fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequences were used to provide a series of dynamic images of the TMJ in various phases of opening. In 30% of the joint examined, FLASH sequences contributed clinically significant information not available with standard T1-weighted sequences. These results suggest that FLASH images are particularly useful in distinguishing normal disc variants from pathologic conditions in which the disc is displaced anteriorly to a mild extent. The short imaging time of FLASH sequences decreases motion artifact in patients who have difficulty remaining still during the examination.