The correlation between sagittal anatomic sections and computerized tomography of the TMJ.

AbstractIn an attempt to find a non-invasive diagnostic technique capable of indicating temporomandibular joint derangement, this study closely examines sequential sagittal computerized tomography (CT) scans of eight cadaver joints to ascertain just what they reveal. The scans are compared with their physical counterparts, the soft tissues of the joints having been dissected in the same sequential sagittal slices. The comparisons show that the CT scans had some weaknesses, but repeated experimentation led to useful and valuable methods of taking the scans so as to receive fairly accurate data. Both the difficulties and the advantages of CT scans are discussed, and the radiographs and the actual dissected segments are thoroughly explained.