Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint: preliminary observations.

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new technique used by radiologists to give images of the body in a manner similar to that of computed tomography (CT). This is done without ionizing radiation, and the technique has no known biological aftereffects. MRI promises to replace CT scanning in the diagnosis of many disorders throughout the body. We feel that it has the potential to replace arthrography and CT in diagnosing internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint. This report briefly explains the principles of MRI and describes our initial experience in obtaining images of the disk of the temporomandibular joint.