Radiological characteristics of osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint without disc displacement

Background and Purpose: Radiological findings were compared between the patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and asymptomatic volunteers. Materials and Methods: OA was diagnosed in 16 patients (mean age 46.9, 69% women) with disc displacement. A second group consisted of 20 selected dental school students without any clinical signs or history of temporomandibular joint disorders. The inclusion criteria for patients comprised pain referred to the TMJ and/or crepitation. Magnetic resonance imaging was used in this study for all subjects. Results: There is no statistical difference between degenerative changes of the condyle of TMJs with and without clinical signs of OA (p>0.05). In 30% of osteoarthritic joints, flattening of condylar joint surfaces was observed and 58.3% of the joints were without clinical signs of OA. Sclerosis of the condyle was found in 30% of the joints and osteophyte formation in 15% of joints with OA. Moderate shape loss and severe sclerosation of the articular eminence were observed in two students in TMJs bilaterally – there is no difference between patients’ TMJs with and without OA (p>0.05). Pronounced shape loss and severe sclerosation of the articular eminence were found in 10 (50%) joints with OA. Conclusions: Scleroses of the condyle and osteophyte formation were the most common imaging findings of TMJs with OA. However, in asymptomatic volunteers only minimal bone changes were considered normal.