Correlation between MRI-diagnosed joint effusion and demographic, clinical, imaging, and arthroscopic findings of the temporomandibular joint

Can provision of additional arthroscopic video material improve accuracy of assessment of temporomandibular joint disorders by dental Non-experts vs. MRI alone: An exploratory study in 3rd to 5th year German dental students

PURPOSE

This exploratory study aimed to determine whether non-experts in the field of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are capable of correctly assessing various intra-articular TMDs based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and whether supplementing corresponding arthroscopic imaging findings will enhance accuracy of their assessments.

METHODS

Non-experts for the purposes of this study were recruited from German dental students. After a focused instruction on TMDs, they completed two evaluation rounds to identify and assess selected pathologies of arthrogenic TMDs in patient cases. Initially, participants were provided with MRI images only; in a second round, additional arthroscopic video material was provided. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate responses, and inter-rater reliability among non-experts was determined.

RESULTS

94 participants evaluated a total of 30 MRI scans of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) obtained from 27 patients who had also undergone arthroscopy. Their assessment showed the relatively highest agreement with the correct diagnosis for disc perforations (68.2-71.9%) and when using both MRI and arthroscopy material. Synovitis showed the lowest agreement, and was more successfully detected based on arthroscopy (47.2%) alone. Overall, there was only slight to fair agreement among the study participants across diagnoses (Kappa 0.074-0.358). Non-experts showed significant inconsistencies in interpreting MRI and arthroscopic imaging, with only limited concordance with the actual diagnosis and an agreement rate of less than 71.9%.

CONCLUSION

Dental students/Non-experts are unlikely to effectively interpret MRIs for the management of intra-articular TMDs based solely on their academic training. Enhanced curricular and postgraduate education in this area is therefore strongly recommended.

Association between clinical symptoms and MRI image findings in symptomatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease: A systematic review

To evaluate the association between clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Relevant articles on humans over 18 years of age were obtained from five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) up to August 2022. Risk of bias assessment was completed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. The GRADEpro (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) instrument was applied to assess the level of evidence across studies in a GRADE Summary of Findings table. In total, 22 studies were included in this systematic review. Of these, 11 studies highlighted that joint pain was positively associated with particular MRI findings: joint effusion, bone marrow edema, disk displacement with/without reduction, and condylar erosion. Masticatory muscle pain was found to have a strong positive correlation with disk displacement in four studies. Five studies found no significant association between MRI findings and masticatory muscle pain. Range of motion and MRI findings were examined in six studies. Limited mouth opening was found to be correlated with disk displacement in five studies. Of the 11 studies evaluating the correlation between joint noise and MRI findings, eight reported a significant association between disk displacement and TMJ noise. The results suggested that patients with joint pain and limited range of motion may benefit from MRI. Patients exhibiting primarily muscle pain are unlikely to benefit clinically from MRI. Future studies with improved quality are warranted.

Diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis: A systematic review

The aim of this study was to systematically review the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis (TMJ-SC). Using a systematic study design based on the PRISMA guideline, the researchers implemented and analyzed a cohort of relevant publications indexed by PubMed, Embase, Medline, and LILACS between January 1990 and December 2022. The outcomes of interest were demographics of the primary studies, and Clinical, radiological, and therapeutic data associated with TMJ-SC. The study samples included 8 studies presenting 121 TMJ-SC cases (73.6% female; 100% unilateral; 53.7% left-sided; mean age, 43.3 ± SD 5,80 [range, 21-81]. Non-specific symptoms were mostly reported, including TMJ pain, noise and local inflammation, and/or malocclusion. Radiographically, loose bodies, masses with low-signal foci, and calcification were common charateristics. Until now, there has been no internationally accepted consensus on diagnosis and management of TMJ-SC. Arthroscopic surgery should be performed on masses confined to the superior TMJ space, while open arthroplasty is indicated in cases with the extra-articular extension. A combination of both treatment methods may be necessary, when the lesion locates extending beyond the medial groove of the condyle.

Assessment of postoperative pain in patients undergoing temporomandibular joint arthroscopy with infiltration of dexamethasone disodium phosphate in different concentrations. A randomized controlled trial

The main aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular, sub-synovial steroid injections (IASSSI) with different doses during temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. Using a single-blind, randomized clinical trial, the investigators enrolled a sample of subjects who underwent TMJ arthroscopy with vs. without IASSSI for treating TMJ disorder (TMD). The predictor variable was the treatment group classified as no treatment (A - without IASSSI) or active treatments (IASSSI (B) with 2 mg or (C) 4-mg dexamethasone). Study medications were randomly assigned. Only subjects were blinded to treatment assignment. The main outcome variables included the following: 1) pain assessed up to postoperative day 30 with the McGill Pain Questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS); 2) maximum mouth opening (MMO); and 3) analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug consumption. Other variables were demographic (age, sex) or pathologic (disease manifestations and classifications). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.5, one-tailed test of hypothesis. The sample comprised 36 patients (n = 12 per study group). In the active group with 4 mg corticosteroids, pain reduction measured by VAS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.18; p = 0.013) and McGill scale scores (OR = 0.15; p = 0.048) was significantly higher than in the control group. The McGill scale scores significantly decreased in both IASSSI groups, compared to the control group, at the final follow-up (all p < 0.012), and IASSSI was significantly associated with reduced analgesic consumption at postoperative days 7 and 14 (p = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference regarding MMO among the three groups. Within the limitations of the study, it seems that intra-articular, sub-synovial steroid injections (IASSSI) with 4 mg dexamethasone should be preferred whenever appropriate when pain relief is the priority of the procedure. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBec)- 28yb2g.