TMJ Arthritis Imaging: Conventional Radiograph vs. CT Scan - Is CT Actually Needed?

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of conventional TMJ imaging in depicting osseous changes in mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) by comparing the finding against CT and with an objective that if conventional TMJ imaging modality can appreciate the osseous changes in RA and OA then what is the need for CT scan. Thus further reducing the patient's radiation dose.

Materials And Methods: A total of 70 patients (40 Rheumatoid Arthritis; 30 Osteoarthritis) were taken in the study aged between 40 - 60 years and divided in to age groups. Then according to clinical history they were divided according to being symptomatic and asymptomatic. Further radiographic examination was carried out. First the trans-cranial view was obtained (conventional view left and right TMJ) and subsequently a CT scan was obtained and the interpretation was carried out to note the osseous changes like erosion, flattening, sclerosis and osteophyte formation.

Results: After comparison of the two radiographic methods it was observed that both were equally efficacious in evaluating the osseous changes in arthritic patients.

Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that when both the radiographic methods (conventional and CT scan) are equally efficacious in evaluating the osseous degenerative changes of TMJ in arthritis. Thus we should prefer the conventional technique so that the patient in not exposed to unnecessary radiation dosage.