Normal and abnormal temporomandibular joint: MR imaging with surface coil

The normal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was evaluated using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a surface coil in five subjects and compared with the abnormal joint in 37 patients (aged 14-59 years; total joints studied, 76). Multisection 3-mm-thick sagittal, coronal, and axial images were obtained with a 1.5-T MR system and 6.5-cm-diameter surface coil using both partial saturation and spin-echo sequences (TR = 1,000 msec, TE = 20 or 25 msec). A comparison with arthrography (n = 13 joints), computed tomography (CT) (n = 11), and surgical (n = 5) findings demonstrated that MR imaging with a surface coil provided an accurate depiction of both normal and abnormal TMJs. MR provided information about meniscal position, morphology, and histology that was not available with either arthrography or CT alone. The imaging potential of MR and its noninvasive characteristics warrant priority for further examination of MR as a useful modality in the diagnosis of TMJ pain and dysfunction.