Volumetric and morphological analysis of condyle and glenoid fossa on computed tomography

The aim of this study was to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle and glenoid fossa morphology with measurements on Computed Tomography (CT) and volumetric analysis using InVesalius software program.

250 condyles in 125 patients (mean age: 40.64) was evaluated on CT. Length, width, and height of the condyle, condylar volume, the thickness of glenoid fossa (TGF), condyle surface area, anterior space (AS), superior space (SS), and posterior space (PS) were measured in this study. Two left and right sides of the jaw have been measured. Linear measurements were performed with the image analysis program (Image J, 1.4 v version, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). Volume and surface area measurements were performed with InVesalius software (CTI, Campinas, SãoPaulo, Brazil).

To compare the dimensions of the condyle between males and females, there was only a significant difference in left AS and SS and no significant difference was found between males and females in other measured factors. There was a significant difference between the age groups and left SS. A significant difference was also found between the age groups and condylar height, condyle surface area, and condylar volume on both right and left sides.

Evaluation of condylar morphology is important to assess the TMJ anomalies and bony changes. This study showed no significant differences between gender and all measured factors except in the left AS and SS. However, age factor had a major effect on the morphology.