Evidence-based evaluation of three imaging methods for the temporomandibular disc.

Objectives: To review the literature and evaluate the evidence for the diagnostic outcome of arthrography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position.

Methods: A literature search from 1978 to 1994 was conducted. Data on sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were collected and, if not available, calculated for each imaging method.

Temporomandibular joint: diagnosis of medial and lateral disk displacement with anteroposterior arthrography. Correlation with cryosections.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether it is possible to diagnose medial and lateral disk displacements by single-contrast lower-compartment arthrography with an anteroposterior projection. Contrast medium was injected into the lower joint space of 29 fresh temporomandibular joint autopsy specimens. Anteroposterior arthrograms and anteroposterior arthrotomograms were obtained.

Sideways and rotational displacement of the temporomandibular joint disk: diagnosis by arthrography and correlation to cryosectional morphology.

Arthrography and arthrotomography were performed on 29 fresh temporomandibular joint autopsy specimens to diagnose medial and lateral disk displacement. A horizontal contrast medium margin crossing over the condyle (edge sign) and the relative size of the anterior recess of the lower joint compartment in the lateral and medial parts of the joints were used as indicators of the mediolateral position of the disk. Arthrographic findings were compared with coronal cryosections in a blinded fashion.

Sideways position of the temporomandibular joint disk: coronal cryosectioning of fresh autopsy specimens.

Forty-five fresh temporomandibular joint autopsy specimens from elderly persons were studied with respect to the position of the disk in the sagittal and coronal planes. In the sagittal plane 80% of the joints showed superior disk position and 20% showed anterior disk position. In the coronal plane 62% showed superior disk position, 33% showed medial disk position, and 4% showed lateral disk position.