CONCAVITY OF THE POSTERIOR SURFACE OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR CONDYLE -CLINICAL CASES AND AUTOPSY CORRELATION

Objectives. To elucidate the significance of the radiographic finding of a concavity of the posterior surface of the temporomandibular condy le. Methods. Three clinical cases with a concavity were followed up cl inically and radiographically. A total of 39 temporomandibular joint ( TMJ) autopsy specimens were examined by corrected sagittal tomography and seven condyles with a concavity of the posterior surface found. Th ey were analysed microscopically together with three joints with a nor mal, rounded condyle. Results. At follow-up tomography, two of the cli nical cases revealed no change while the third patient had erosive cha nges after 7 months. The microscopic findings of the autopsy specimens varied. The articular cartilage in three of the seven joints with a c oncavity was similar to that in the normal condyles. The outer surface of the articular cartilage was sometimes uneven and the cartilage thi ckened, with an irregular junction between the articular cartilage and subchondral bone. In three joints the cartilage in the concavity had been replaced by granulation tissue. All seven joints had increased ce llular activity in the concavity. Conclusions. The radiographic findin g of a concavity in the posterior surface of the condyle is not specif ic. When small and well-defined it is indicative of remodelling and of osteoarthrosis when larger and with a diffuse outline. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd for IADMFR.