Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint using a surface coil

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done in 454 temporomandibular joints of 240 patients and the images produced were correlated with arthrographic, tomographic, and, in the 85 patients who were operated on, surgical findings. The MRI was found to be more accurate than arthrography in demonstrating soft tissue changes. In addition, the technique does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation and has no known biological hazard.