AbdelAziz R. And EshaK M.,

ABSTRACT


Aim: The Aim Of This Study Was To Investigate Characteristic MRI Findings Of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) In The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Patients And Methods: 40 TMJs From 20 RA Patients Who Have TMJ Complain Were Examined By MRI. All MRI Images Were Evaluated Separately By Two Experienced Oral Radiologists With Regard To The Presence Or Absence Of Soft Tissue And/or Osseous Abnormalities, The Radiologists Were Blinded To The Clinical Symptoms And Prior TMJ Disease. The Following Joint Abnormalities Were Noted, Synovial Membrane Thickening, Pannus Formation, Bone Marrow Edema, Disk Distortion And Disk Displacement, Bone Erosion, Flattening Of The Articular Surfaces, Sub-cortical And Generalized Sclerosis, Sub-cortical Cyst, Osteophyte, Joint Space Reduction And Abnormal Position Of The Condylar Head Within The Temporal Fossa. All These Findings Were Tabled And Analyzed.

Results: MRI Clearly Detected All Joint Abnormalities With The Most Frequent Soft Tissue Abnormality Was Synovial Membrane Thickening 85% And The Least Frequent Abnormality Was Disk Distortion 15%, Where The Most Frequent Osseous Abnormality Was Condylar Head Erosion 52.5% And The Least Frequent Was Loose Joint Body 5%. Conclusion: Bony Erosion In The Condyle And Synovial Proliferation Were Considered Characteristic MRI Findings Of RA In The TMJs.