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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
A Morphometric and Cellular Analysis Method for the Murine Mandibular Condyle
Published on: January 11, 2018
Magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis of the mandibular condyle in acute mandibular osteomyelitis
Naoya Nakamura1, Hirotaka Muraoka1, Satoshi Tokunaga1
1Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, 2-870-1 Sakaecho-Nishi, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8587, Japan.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate MRI texture features of the mandibular condyle in patients with acute mandibular osteomyelitis (OM).
Methods:
Between April 2018 and March 2025, MRI examinations were conducted on 29 individuals (12 men and 17 women) with acute OM. The affected condyles were compared with those of a control group of 29 age- and sex-matched individuals without acute OM. MRI data were collected and analyzed using MaZda image analysis software (version 4.6.2.0). In total, 279 texture features were extracted from regions of interest defined in acute OM-affected and control condyles. These features were statistically compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical analyses were performed for all features, and a P value lower than the Bonferroni corrected threshold (α = 0.05/279) was considered indicative of statistical significance.
Results:
Seven texture features showed significant differences between the acute OM-affected condyles and control condyles (all P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Our results may reflect mandibular condylar bone marrow changes associated with inflammatory status in patients with acute OM. These findings suggest that evaluation of the temporomandibular joint is clinically relevant in such patients.
Insights
This study found significant MRI texture differences in the mandibular condyle of patients with acute osteomyelitis (OM). These findings highlight the temporomandibular joint
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Osteomyelitis (OM) of the mandibular condyle presents diagnostic challenges.
- Accurate assessment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess MRI texture features in the mandibular condyle of patients with acute osteomyelitis.
- To identify potential imaging biomarkers for acute mandibular OM.
Main Methods:
- MRI examinations of 29 patients with acute OM and 29 controls.
- Extraction and statistical comparison of 279 texture features using MaZda software.
- Mann-Whitney U test applied for group comparisons with Bonferroni correction.
Main Results:
- Seven MRI texture features demonstrated statistically significant differences between acute OM-affected and control condyles.
- All significant features showed P < 0.001, indicating robust findings.
Conclusions:
- Observed texture feature differences likely reflect inflammatory bone marrow changes in acute mandibular OM.
- TMJ evaluation using MRI texture analysis is clinically relevant for diagnosing and managing acute OM.
