MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES TO THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT

Purpose: This study involves the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MR I) to document acute soft tissue injuries involving the temporomandibu lar joint (TMJ) after condylar fractures. Materials and Methods: Patie nts with condylar fractures whose clinical and radiographic examinatio ns, as well as the mechanism of their injury, suggested specific damag e to the temporomandibular soft tissues underwent MRI scanning. Thirte en patients who met selected criteria were included in this study. Res ults: Ten patients demonstrated disc avulsion, usually in the anterior or medial direction. Two patients had disruption of the lateral capsu le, and one patient showed no MRI evidence of acute injury. Joint effu sions were frequently demonstrated. Conclusions: MRI of condylar fract ures in those patients with displacement, or in whom the mechanism of injury would predispose them to posttraumatic internal derangement, ma y assist the clinician in determining whether primary or delayed treat ment is indicated. Furthermore, MRI may be a useful resource for enhan cing the level of understanding regarding soft tissue changes that occ ur in the TMJ after acute condylar trauma.