Study of temporomandibular joint disorder in older patients by magnetic resonance imaging

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00552.x Study of temporomandibular joint disorder in older patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Objectives: To compare characteristics in older patients in a sample of the general population of those with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). Materials and methods: A prospective study was carried out between 2001 and 2008 in patients with TMJD. The whole sample consisted of 141 patients divided in two groups: 31 patients aged over 60 (median age 67.9, ranging from 60 to 82) and the remaining 110 patients (median age 36.3, ranging from 12 to 59) who were seeking treatment. Clinical diagnostics was confirmed by MRI. Pain intensity was rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS 0‐10). Results: There was no statistical difference between average pain in older patients (6.2) and patients aged up to 59 (5.7) evaluated by VAS. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002) in pain duration: older patients reported shorter duration of experienced pain (7.8 months) than patients aged up to 59 (12.2 months). Conclusion: In this study, it was found that 22% were older patients with TMJD. A higher level of anxiety was shown in both patients’ groups, regardless of shorter pain experience in the older patients.     

Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of breast tumors

A complete examination (mammography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance tomography) has been made for 82 patients with breast masses. A high diagnostic efficacy of the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRT of the breast masses has been proved. The paper showed the advantages of dynamic contrast-enhanced tomography, as compared to mammography and US in cases with the small carcinomas developed on the background of the marked fibroadenomatous changes in the breast, in the dense or deformed glandular tissue, in cases of the postoperative scarring as well as with retromammary localization of the tumors.     

Magnetic resonance tomography of malignant tumors of the maxilla]

The authors discussed their experience in investigating 20 patients with maxillary malignant tumors using routine x-ray studies and MR-tomography, and 13 patients, investigated in the same way plus CT. MRT permitted defining a topical localization of a tumor and its spreading to adjacent anatomical regions (the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae, pharynx and peripharyngeal space, orbit, buccal soft tissues, and the cranial cavity). MRT was used to differentiate between tumor tissue and inflammation even within the sinus. As to the detection of osseous destruction, CT seemed much more superior than MRT. It was only in one patient that x-ray findings brought about better results than MRT because of artefacts resulting from metal crowns on the affected side.     

Magnetic resonance tomography, computed tomography and ultrasonic diagnosis of hemangiomas of the liver

The paper is concerned with the potentialities of modern radiation methods in the diagnosis of liver hemangiomas. USI, CT, angiography and MR-tomography (MRT) were used for investigation of 64 patients with liver hemangiomas. The diagnostic potentialities and the role of each of the above methods in the diagnostic algorithm in liver hemangiomas were studied. The results of the investigation have shown that MRT possesses a higher informative value than USI and CT in the diagnosis of liver hemangiomas and can even replace angiography in the verification of diagnosis.     

Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension]

MR tomography was used for investigation of 38 patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH) and 26 healthy persons. A possibility of the use and practical value of the method in the diagnosis and evaluation of renal function and renal arteries (RA) were under study. Some quantitative MRT indices were calculated both for the patients and healthy persons. They included spin-spin relaxation time, proton density, and signal intensity. These data can provide important information on renal function in RVH with relation to kidney sizes and the state of the renal parenchyma (evaluation of the cortical substance and medulla and the border between them). In some cases MRT ensures noninvasive diagnosis of PA stenosis.     

Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas

This work is based upon the experience in the diagnosis of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JAF) in 14 patients using MR-tomography and routine x-ray examination. In all the patients MR-tomography made it possible to assess the topical position of a tumor, its spreading to the cranial, nasal, accessory sinusal and orbital cavities, and the pterygopalatine and infratemporal spaces. MR-tomographic diagnosis made it possible to differentiate between tumor invasion and inflammatory processes detecting JAF attending tubotitides. However MR-tomography cannot be used alone to assess the status of osseous tissue.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of knee joint sarcomas

The purpose of the investigation was to study the potentialities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of knee joint sarcomas. The paper presents the results of examining 13 patients of different age, shows the potentialities of the technique in the identification of knee joint sarcomas, and describes the MRI semiotics of sarcomas in both the routine study and that using contrast enhancement in lesions of bone and soft tissue elements in the presence of regional metastases.     

Magnetic resonance tomography measurement of the thigh adipose tissue volume in men

The volume of the thigh adipose tissue was estimated using magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and anthropometric measurements. Eighty-seven physically well-developed men aged 18–45 years participated in the experiment. The MRT estimate of the thigh fat volume was 2206 ± 882 cm³. The results were used to derive two multiple linear regression equations for calculating the thigh adipose tissue volume from anthropometric parameters. The correlation coefficient between the thigh adipose tissue volumes calculated from the equation and measured by MRT was r = 0.97.     

Magnetic resonance tomography in focal diseases of the liver (review)

A review is devoted to the use of MR-tomography in the diagnosis of focal liver lesions. Various pulse sequences and a choice of an optimum variant are under discussion. A possibility of contrast intensification of MR-tomograms with paramagnetic substances is indicated, the problems of occurrence of motor artefacts are considered. A conclusion has been made that relaxation time can serve a tissue characteristic, permitting differential diagnosis on the basis of difference in relaxation time between different types of pathological changes.     

Magnetic resonance tomography of the sellar region in patients with endocrine diseases]

The authors discuss the present-day problems of radiotherapy. They show the major prospective trends in this field and describe the OS3Dplan system, made in this country, that represents a working place of a radiologist and serves for the development, analysis and storage of the schemes of long-distance gamma-beam therapy of oncologic patients. The OS3Dplan system is realized via the IBM PC/AT-286/287 computer but can operate with any of the IBM PC/XT/AT/PS-2--8086/80486 computers, made before 1986 with the videoadapter EGA/VGA, and functioning under MS-DOS, Microsoft (version 3.3 or older). The mathematical provision of the videodigitizer (distance control and videocamera) permit the introduction of videoinformation into the personal computer in the 256 x 256 format, 512 x 512 pixels. The mathematical provision of the OS3Dplan proper permits a volume planning of long-distance gamma-beam therapy. This module type system will be of interest for various specialists (radiologists, roentgenologists, oncologists, students, etc.), for it permits a collection and maintenance of a data bank on patients with imaging of roentgenograms, CT, NM tomography, ultrasonic data on the computer display and printing these data, perform metric analyses and reconstruct the volume.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle joint and foot: possible diagnostic errors

The paper deals with the visualizing study of the ankle joint and foot by MRI and with the problems in the interpretation of magnetic resonance images in health. For this, 50 healthy volunteers without diseases and lesions of the ankle joint and foot were examined. The study was performed by using flexible superficial coils and T1-, T2-, and proton-weighed pulse-sequences in the orthogonal projections. The articular surfaces and cavity of the ankle joint were evaluated. The specific features of visualization of the muscles and tendons of this area and the pattern of fluid under their membranes were explored. The typical location of the "magic corner" phenomenon was revealed. The individual specific features of identification of the ligaments of the ankle joint and foot and plantar aponeurosis were defined. The features of visualization of bones simulating abnormalities were studied. A category of normalcy in the MRI of the ankle joint and foot was formulated.     

Mandibular distraction in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Condylar damage during childhood can produce ankylosis and alteration of the mandibular growth. In case of unilateral ankylosis occurring in early childhood, a mandibular hypoplasia of the affected side may develop. The patients have limitation of mouth opening, facial asymmetry, and chin deviation toward the affected side. The aims of this study are to show the use of distraction osteogenesis in mandibular hypoplasia associated with ankylosis and to present our experience with a new therapeutic option for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia with unilateral ankylosis in the childhood consisting of the association of arthroplasty to treat the ankylosis and mandibular distraction to correct the facial asymmetry, both accomplished in the same surgical procedure. From November of 1996 to November of 1997, three male patients aged 2, 7, and 13 years with mandibular hypoplasia and ankylosis were treated by distraction osteogenesis. An arthroplasty consisting of the resection of the ankylotic block and interposition of a temporalis muscle flap, plus coronoidectomy was done in two of them and mandibular distraction was done in all three patients. Articular functional rehabilitation began on the first postoperative day. Mandibular distraction began on the fifth postoperative day with a rate of 1 mm per day, ending when the facial symmetry was achieved. From the first postoperative day, an increase in the mouth opening was achieved; this increase continued until ending the distraction. The average duration of distraction was 22 days. Average duration of consolidation was 6 weeks. Oral opening increased from 10 mm to 35 mm in the 7-year-old patient, from 9 mm to 27 mm in the 2-year-old patient, and from 14 mm to 38 mm in the 13-year-old patient. To date, oral opening and facial symmetry persist. Osseous mandibular distraction together with arthroplasty offers an excellent new alternative for treatment of patients with mandibular hypoplasia and associated ankylosis, with minimal morbidity and complications.