[Position and mobility of the articular disk after surgical management of diacapitular and high condylar dislocation fractures of the temporomandibular joint]

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of traumatized temporomandibular joints (TMJ) usually focuses on disc position, defining regular joint function by normal, excentric or displaced disc position. So far, there are only few reports regarding disc position after open reduction of diacapitular or high condylar fractures of the TMJ with dislocation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the disc as regards postoperative functional outcome by electronic axiographic recordings of condylar movements and MRI, displacement of the disc and lesions of TMJ soft tissues being frequent in this type of mandibular fractures. A total of 30 subjects with 37 condylar fractures in whom osteosynthesis was performed using a preauricular approach were imaged postoperatively (mean 24 months) with a 1.5-Tesla MRI system to determine, (a) the position of the disc, (b) the range of mobility of the disc and (c) condylar mobility in closed and open mouth position, comparing fractured sides (FS) vs nonfractured sides (NFS). Linear movements between the two jaw positions in the sagittal plane were measured by superimposing transparencies. The results indicate: (1) more than 70% of the discs (FS) were found to be in normal position; there was no disc displacement without reduction. However, these data stood in contrast to severe limitations of the axiographic tracings as presented by almost 30% of the subjects. (2) Significant correlations were found between fixed (alpha = 0.05) or highly immobilized (alpha = 0.01) discs and axiographic limitations, suggesting disc mobility to be a valuable parameter for assessment of the postoperative functional outcome.