STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN THE TMJ DISK IN PATIENTS SURGICALLY TREATEDFOR INTERNAL DERANGEMENTS (ADD)

Twenty-eight patients with temporomandibular dysfunction problem have been subjected to diskectomy unilaterally. The diagnosis was in 23 pat ients ADD (anterior disk displacement) without reduction and in anothe r five ADD with reduction. The disk was removed in total according to a routine procedure. Surgical observation of a firm connection between the inferior surface of the disk and the condylar head was noted in e ighteen patients. The disk tissue was orientated on a cork sheet accor ding to its position in the fossa and subjected to histological examin ation. Histopathological analysis showed that the posterior attachment was a considerable part of the specimen in 12 out of 28 disks. Splitt ing of the disk was confined to the inferior surface. Chondrocytes wer e found close to the inferior surface. Surface irregularities, tags, w ere noticed on the inferior surface in thirteen cases. However, cellul ar signs of inflammation were found in the retrodiskal tissue in eight cases.