Alterations of the Temporomandibular Joint on Magnetic Resonance Imaging according to Growth and Development in Schoolchildren

摘要

The paper explains the alterations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to the growth and development of schoolchildren. Appearance and disappearance of a "double contour-like structure" (DCLS) of the mandibular condyle on MRI according to the growth and development of schoolchildren were demonstrated. In addition, possible constituents of DCLS and the significance of detection of DCLS on MRI were also speculated. The relationship between red marrow and yellow marrow in the articular eminence of temporal bone, the disappearance of DCLS, and alterations of the mandibular condyle have been elucidated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively used to noninvasively evaluate various tissues as it can provide high resolution for the differentiation between different soft tissues. For various kinds of joints, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the clinical application of MRI has led to better understanding of anatomy, growth, and disease. Alterations in MRI signals corresponding with the growth and development of joints in infants and children have been well documented . In particular, changes in normal cartilaginous epiphyses, physes, and metaphyseal marrow during growth have been evaluated extensively using MRI, as it is difficult to obtain the precise imaging of these tissues by computed tomography (CT). The growth and development of mandibular condyles and the articular eminence have been studied with regards to TMJ in the oral and maxillofacial region in schoolchildren . In consecutive studies and a review on the TMJ, characteristic MRI signals have been evaluated in the tops of the mandibular condyle in children.