Evaluation of the presence of effusion in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between effusion and disc displacement that were detected in MRIs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) patients. Material and Methods: MRIs of 60 patients who had pain and/or dysfunction in the TMJ region were evaluated for the presence of effusion. TMC disc positions of 60 MRI results were divided into three groups: normal disc position (control group, n: 20), disc displacement with reduction (R group, n: 20) and disc displacement without reduction (NR group, n: 20). When evaluating the presence of effusion, hyperintense thin lines or absence of effusion was evaluated as no effusion; while signal intensity of more than 2 mm at the anterior-posterior length or superior-inferior height at the joint space was evaluated as the presence of effusion. Results: According to MRI findings, effusion was observed in 2 of the 20 joints (10%) in the control group, 8 of the 20 joints (40%) in the R group and 17 of the 20 joints (85%) in the NR group. When the groups were compared with each other, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: In TMD, where normal disc position deteriorates to disc displacement, the prevalence of effusion also increases. It is thought that changes in effusion levels can be used as a marker for evaluating the prognosis of TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]