• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2011

Aim: Disc displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been managed by mandibular manipulation to reduce the displaced disc but with a low success rate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether auriculotemporal nerve block anesthesia had an effect on the reduction of the displaced disc and to analyze the factors that influenced the result. Methods: 112 patients were diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction and treated by mandibular manipulation. Disc was recaptured in 35 patients. Among the 77 patients with whom disc recapture had failed, the auriculotemporal nerve was blocked with a local anesthetic in the 49 patients (mean $age \;{\pm}\; SD\; =\; 34.4\;{\pm}\; 15.1$; male 24, female 25) and then mandibular manipulation was performed again. Factors including age, elapsed time from the onset, and opening amount were analyzed in association with disc reduction rate with the auriculotemporal nerve block. Results: Among 49 patients who did not respond to manipulation only, manual reduction with auriculotemporal nerve block anesthesia was successful in 19 patients (38.8%). Maximum unassisted opening amount significantly increased in the 19 patients with successful recapture of the disc ($mean \;{\pm}\; SD\; =\; 46.1 \;{\pm}\; 4.5\; mm$), in contrast to the limited opening amount of the 49 patients before local anesthesia of the auriculotemporal nerve ($mean \;{\pm}\; SD\; =\; 25.7 \;{\pm}\; 6.0\; mm$). Age, elapsed time after the onset, and preoperative opening amount were not associated with the reduction rate. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that auriculotemporal nerve block anesthesia increases the reduction rate of the disc displacement without reduction of the TMJ when combined with mandibular manipulation, and such anesthesia should be applied at the first stage of manual treatment of disc displacement without reduction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.23.1-23.8
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional effects of temporalis myofascial flap after condylectomy, with or without disc removal, in elderly patients with anterior disc displacement (ADD) without reduction and an erosive condylar surface of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods: A total of 15 joints from 11 elderly patients (71-78 years old) were included. The patients had pain, mandibular dysfunction symptoms, and unilateral or bilateral ADD as well as an erosive condylar surface of the TMJ. All patients underwent temporalis myofascial flap reconstruction after condylectomy, with or without disc removal. If the maximal mouth opening (MMO) remained <35 mm after condylectomy, coronoidotomy was also performed. Self-assessed pain and mandibular function, including MMO and protrusive and lateral movements, were evaluated. Results: No patient experienced serious complications. Most measurements improved significantly after surgery compared to preoperatively. Most patients achieved nearly-normal mouth opening at 4 weeks after surgery. Although most patients felt discomfort during active postoperative physiotherapy, no patient reported serious pain during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Although nonsurgical therapy is often the first treatment choice for ADD without reduction of the TMJ, surgical intervention involving condylectomy and temporalis myofascial flap reconstruction may be a reasonable first option for elderly patients with an erosive condylar surface of the TMJ.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.112-117
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the short-term effectiveness of hard and soft stabilizing appliances (H-A and S-A) in treating patients with acute temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). Methods: Eighty one patients diagnosed as acute TMJ DDwoR at oral medicine of Chosun University Dental Hospital from November 2016 to September 2017 were included in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups: The control group (34 patients treated without occlusal appliance), the H-A group (31 patients treated with H-A) and the S-A group (16 patients treated with S-A). The pain intensity using Visual Analog Scale and maximum mouth opening (MMO) were evaluated every week for 8 weeks. Results: The improvement of the pain intensity and MMO in the H-A group and the S-A group compared with the control group were noted (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that hard and S-As may be equally useful in treating patients with TMJ DDwoR. S-A could be recommended to reduce the symptoms of TMJ DDwoR in short period.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and frequency of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) effusion in magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with disc displacements. Materials and Methods: On T2 weighted MR images of 148 TMJs taken from 74 patients presenting with TMJ pain and dysfunction, we assessed the cases showing TMJ effusion, defined as an amount of fluid that exceeded the maximum amount seen in a control group of asymptomatic volunteers. The amount of TMJ fluid was graded as: I (none or minimal), II (moderate), III (marked), and IV (extensive), according to a standard set by a reference. Disc displacement categories were also recorded. Results: Of the 148 TMJs examined in this study, 52 joints (35.1%) presented with joint effusion, 24 (16.2%) showing bilateral joint effusion. 38 joints showed upper joint space effusion, 3 showed lower joint space effusion, and 11 showed both upper and lower joint space effusion. 96 joints (64.9%) had grade I joint fluid, 27 (18.2%) grade II, 15 (10.1 %) grade III, and 10 (6.8%) grade IV. 80.0% of the joints presenting with grade IV effusion showed disc displacement without reduction. Conclusion: Joint effusion was found not only in upper, but also in lower joint spaces. The higher the effusion grade, the greater the frequency of disc displacement without reduction.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 1996

This study was performed to compare the TMJ sounds by means of vibration-related items by Sonopak such as integral, high integral, above 300/(0-300) ratio, peak amplitude, peak frequency and median frequency before and after occlusa1 splint therapy as well as counselling, physical modalities. For this study 22 patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) were selected and examined by routine diagnostic procedure for CMDs including Transcranial and Panoramic radiographs and were classified into 3 CMDs subgroups : disc displacement with reduction, disc displacement without reduction, and degenerative joint disease. Visual analogue scale (VAS) about joint sound was recorded during treatment period and VAS treatment index (VAS Ti) was calculated from the VAS data and treatment duration. The author evaluated and compared treatment results by several parmeters such as symptom duration, timing of joint sound, parafunctional habits, trauma, and diagnostic classification. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Before the treatment, the highest value of peak amplitude was observed in disc displacement with reduction group and value of median frequency was highest in degenerative joint disease group. In addition the highest values of peak frequency and ratio ware observed in degenerative joint disease group, though they were not significant. Furthermore the lowest value of high integral was observed in disc displacement without reduction group and though it was not significant, value of integral was lowest in that group. 2. Among 3CMDs subgroups disc displacement with reduction group showed the significantly decreased value of high integral and degenerative joint disease group had the significantly decreased value of integral after conservative treatment including occlusal splint therapy. Conclusively conservative treatment including occlusal splint therapy vay be effective in the treatment of CMDs including TMJ sound. 3. Fair prognosis for conservative treatment was observed in acute group under 6 months than chronic group, 6 months over in symptom duration but there was no statistical difference. The result for conservative treatment was observed slightly poor in subjects with bruxism, clenching, unilateral chewing habit and trauma history but there were no statistical differences.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2008

Purpose : To compare and evaluate the diagnostic ability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods : CBCT and MRI of 46 TMJs of 23 patients with TMJ disorders were evaluated. They were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the articular disc of the TMJ at closed mouth position and the reduction of the disc during open mouth position on MRI: no disc displacement group (NDD), disc displacement with reduction group (DDR), and disc displacement without reduction group (DDWR). With PACS viewing soft-wares, position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa, osseous change of mandibular condyle, shape of articular fossa, and mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions of mandibular condyle were evaluated on CBCT and MRI. Each value was tested statistically. Results : The position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa were concentric in the NDD, DDR, and DDWR of CBCT and NDD of MRI. However, condyle was positioned posteriorly in DDR and DDWR of MRI. Flattening, sclerosis and osteophyte of the mandibular condyle were much more apparent on DDR of CBCT than MRI. And the erosion of the condyle was much more apparent on DDWR of MRI than CBCT. Box and Sigmoid types of articular fossa were found most frequently in DDR of MRI. Flattened type was found most frequently in DDR of CBCT and deformed type was found most frequently in DDWR of CBCT. No significant difference in mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions were shown on CBCT and MRI. Conclusion : Since MRI and CBCT has unique diagnostic imaging ability, both modalities should be used together to supplement each other to evaluate TMJ.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find the relationship among the joint status, pain and effusion in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. Materials and Methods: Materials included 406 patients (812 joints) with clinical records and bilateral TMJ MRIs in TMJ clinic, Yongdong Severance Hospital. All joints were classified in 4 groups in MR images according to the disc status of joint; normal disc position, disc displacement with reduction (DDcR), early and late stage of disc displacement without reduction (DDsR), and also 2 groups according to the bony status of joint; normal bony structure and osteoarthrosis. MR evidence of joint effusion was categorized in 4 groups according to its amount. To determine the relationship between joint pain and joint effusion, 289 patients with unilateral TMJ symptoms were selected from total materials. Result: Joint effusion was found 8.0% in normal disc position, 32.6% in DDcR, and 59.2% in DDsR (83.1 % in early state and 23.1 % in late stage). Joint effusion was found 39.7% in osteoarthrosis and 35.0% in normal bony structure. Joint effusion was more found in the painful joints (49.8%) than in the painless joints (22.4% )(p<0.001). Joint effusion in the early stage of DDsR only was more found significantly in painful joints (91.9%) than in painless joints (62.1 %) (p<0.001). Conclusion : MR evidence of joint effusion might be related to disc displacement regardless of the presence of osteoarthrosis, and the early stage of DDsR was found more frequently combined with joint effusion and joint pain.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.457-462
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• 2005

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative signal intensity of TMJ retrodiscal tissue in T2-weighted MRI as diagnostic marker of temporomandibular disorder(TMD). 58 temporomandibular joints from 29 TMD patients (14 men & 15 women) were evaluated. The relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue in T2-weighted MRI was referenced to brain gray matter same size of the region of interest(ROI). The collected data was compared to disc positions (normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction, anterior disc displacement without reduction), the presence of joint effusion. The relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue was significantly increased when the disc was displaced without reduction. And the relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue was significantly increased when joint effusion was present. The results suggest that evaluating the relative signal intensity of TMJ retrodiscal tissue using a T2-weighted MRI is valuable as a non-invasive tool for diagnosing the procession of TMD.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.337-345
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• 1994

Arthrography of the temporomandibular joint is a useful method of demonstrating the soft tissue abnormalities related to disc dysfunction. In this study, 19 asymptomatic joints, 31 joints with anterior disc displacement with reduction, 31 joints with anterior disc displacement without reduction which were classified by arthrotomography under fluoroscopy were evaluated to determine the linear measurement of anterior recess of inferior joint space and the relationship between the condylar anterior translation and the severity of the internal derangements. Their fluoroscopic images were also evaluated to describe the characteristics of condylar paths in internal derangements of the temporomandibular joints. The results were as follows; 1. The mean lengths of the anterior recess in asymptomaic group. reduction group. and non-reduction group were 8.7±1.6㎜. 11.2±1.7㎜, 12.8±1.7㎜ respectively. The length of the anterior recess was increased according to the severity of the internal derangements(P<0.05). 2. Linear measurements of anterior movement of condyle on maximum mouth opening were 13.1 ±4.2㎜, 15.9±4.1㎜, 5.0±3.7㎜ in asymptomatic group. reduction group, and non-reduction group respectively. Compared with asymptomatic group, reduction group showed hypermobolity of the condyle and non-reduction group showed hypomobility. 3. Condyles moved beyond the crest of articular eminence in 80% of reduction group and did not reach it in 70% of non-reduction group. 4. The condyle moved mainly superiorly in reduction group(66%) and horizontally in asymptomatic group(47%). There were no cases to move superiorly in non-reduction group.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2003

Purpose: To describe the MRI findings of the retrodiskal tissue in patients presenting with TMJ internal derangement and to correlate these findings with clinical and other MRI manifestations. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighteen joints of 63 patients with TMJ internal derangement were examined by MRI. Tl-weighted sagittal MR images taken in both closed- and open-mouth were evaluated for the presence of demarcation between disk and retrodiskal tissue, the presence of low signal intensity, and the depiction of the temporal part of the posterior attachment. The results were correlated with the duration of TMJ internal derangement, the presence of pain, and other MRI findings, including the type of internal derangement, the extent of disk displacement, the degree of disc deformation, and the presence of osteoarthrosis. Results: A significant relationship between the presence of low signal intensity in the retrodiskal tissue and other MRI findings was determined. Low signal intensity on the open-mouth view was observed more frequently in patients with disc displacement without reduction, severe disc displacement and deformation, and osteoarthrosis (p<0.05). The demarcation between disk and retrodiskal tissue, and the depiction of the temporal part of the posterior attachment(TPA) were correlated neither with clinical, nor with other MRI findings. Conclusion: This study suggests that low signal intensity in the retrodiskal tissue on open-mouth MR image can be indicative of advanced stages of disk displacement.