High-resolution SPECT of the temporomandibular joint in chronic craniofacial pain disorders: a pilot study

Chronic craniofacial pain disorders commonly cause physicians diagnostic difficulties. The purpose of this study was, on one hand, to detect pathological focuses of the craniofacial skeleton using a new system of high-resolution single photon emission computertomography (SPECT), and on the other hand, to compare the results with those obtained via high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as far as temporomandibular joint affections are concerned. SPECT can be regarded as a supplementary diagnostic mean for patients displaying the symptoms of chronic craniofacial pain disorders, especially in cases where clinical and paraclinical investigations do not coïncide or which are refractory to treatment, not least to differentiate between somatic and psychogenic causes, respectively.