Computed tomography-assisted morphological assessment of the components of the temporomandibular joint – a pilot study

Introduction. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a common diagnostic problem. No universal radiological parameter of the analysis was introduced. Aim. Comparison of values of selected radiological parameters between asymptomatic patients and those with the TMJ arthropathy. Material and methods. Retrospective analysis of CT scans of patients of the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology and the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery and Implantology, Medical University of Warsaw. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. without TMJ disorders, 2. with TMJ dysfunction symptoms. Following parameters of heads of mandible were analyzed bilaterally: shape, anteroposterior and lateromedial dimensions, the distance between lateral points of both heads (HL-HR), distance between a head and the mandibular fossa. The angle between the horizontal axis of the head of mandible and the line drawn by posterior points of heads of mandible was measured. Results. The most common type of the head of mandible in group 1 (40 patients; 13 women, 27 men) was convex (14 patients), in group 2 (16 patients; 14 women, 2 men) – plane (8 patients). Significant differences between groups were obtained for: GL-GP (group 1 – 120.35 mm, group 2 – 115.4 mm), dimensions of heads of mandible: lateromedial – 19.7 mm, 18.14 mm, anteroposterior – 8.03 mm, 7.04 mm for group 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions. Computed tomography allowed for an accurate analysis of the TMJ components. Measurements of structures discussed in this work should be a part of the diagnosis of patients with TMJ dysfunction.