MR imaging of the temporomandibular joint: A validation experiment in vitro

Rationale and Objectives. The authors compared magnetic resonance (MR) image quality obtained from 3-and I-mm-thick sections in the depiction of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and its adjacent structures. Materials and Methods. Eight TMJ specimens from four adult cadaver heads were depicted with MR imaging, Both 3- and l-mm-thick sections were generated. One oral and maxillofacial radiologist, who was blinded to section thickness, evaluated the anatomic details of the images. Subsequently, the joints were surgically explored by two oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and the physical findings were recorded. Results, Some statistically significant differences were : found between the physical findings and the 3-mm-thick section images, while no significant differences were found with the I-mm-thick sections. Conclusion. The TMJ and its adjacent structures were better depicted by thinner MR images.