Detection of degenerative disease of the temporomandibular joint by bone scintigraphy: concise communication

Nine patients with facial pain were evaluated with limited bone scans. The scintigrams correlated with microscopy in all patients (eight positive, one negative), although radiographs correlated with microscopy in only five patients (four positive, one negative). The degenerative disease process in the temporomandibular joint was more extensive in the patients with radiographic and scintigraphic abnormalities than in those with scintigraphic abnormalities alone. The limited bone scan appears useful in detecting early degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint.