THE ASSESSMENT OF TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE SYMPTOMS OF PATIENTS WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS BY THE USE OF LIQUID-CRYSTAL THERMOGRAPHY

Objective. To test the hypothesis that neuromuscular symptoms of patie nts with temporomandibular disorders that occur in the upper back and neck can be evaluated by recording the temperature patterns in the ski n overlying the muscles.Study design. Liquid crystal contact thermogra phy was evaluated on patients with temporomandibular disorders to demo nstrate temperature changes in the muscles of the neck and upper back. The study consisted of 22 patients with temporomandibular disorders a nd 22 normal controls. Results. The mean right-versus-left-side temper ature difference of the control group was 0.13 degrees C whereas the p atient group showed a difference of 0.78 degrees C. Of the 22 patients with temporomandibular disorders, 21 (95.5%) showed an increased temp erature over the trapezius muscle on the symptomatic side. Conclusions . These findings indicate that thermography may be useful in the diagn osis of myofascial symptoms that may be associated with temporomandibu lar disorders.