Follow-up evaluation of temporomandibular joints using magnetic resonance imaging after mandibular trauma: Case series analysis of young adult males

Abstract

Background/aims: A relationship between mandibular fractures and traumatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions has been suggested in many studies. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best option for a TMJ evaluation, few studies have evaluated the TMJ condition after a mandibular fracture using MRI follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the TMJ for post-traumatic conditions following a mandibular fracture using follow-up MRI.

Materials and methods: Fourteen TMJs of seven young adult males (aged 19-21 years) with mandibular fractures were analyzed by MRI, and 12 TMJs of six patients were evaluated by follow-up MRI after the trauma. Regarding the intensity of MRI, the pathologic condition of TMJ was classified into acute joint inflammation, marrow edema, and joint space widening.

Results: Thirteen joints (92.9%) showed pathologic conditions, including 11 with acute joint inflammation (84.6%), 10 with joint space widening (76.9%), and six with marrow edema (46.2%). Five out of 12 evaluated joints were injected with dexamethasone. Among these, four joints healed within one week, and one healed within one month. Among the seven untreated TMJs, four and one joint healed within one week and one month, respectively, but two joints of one patient did not improve until one month. Although that patient received arthrocentesis, the right joint showed osteoarthritis six months after the trauma.

Conclusions: Most TMJs were acutely damaged due to mandibular trauma and healed within one week to one month. A follow-up examination could be considered at one month after the injury to confirm the possibility of traumatic TMJ disorder, such as osteoarthritis.