MRI examination of the TMJ after surgical treatment of condylar fractures

The position of discs in 20 adult patients whose unilateral condylar fractu res were treated by open reduction was investigated by means of magnetic re sonance imaging. In four (20%) of the 20 cases, the disc was anteriorly dis placed in both the closed mouth and open mouth positions. Three of the four cases had a high condylar neck fracture with dislocation and one had a hig h condylar neck fracture with displacement. The results of this study showe d that repositioning the dislocated condyle did not always lead to anatomic al restoration of the joint structures.