[Radiology of the temporomandibular joint. Diagnostic imaging of the temporomandibular joint]

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of disorders of the masticatory system. The most frequent disorders are osteoarthrosis and internal derangements. The clinical diagnosis of these disorders may be confirmed by diagnostic imaging. In addition, diagnostic imaging contributes to the staging of the degenerative changes. Techniques for examination of the temporomandibular joint, including conventional (panoramic, transpharyngeal, transcranial) as well as more sophisticated techniques (tomography, fluoroscopy, arthrography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging) are briefly described. The interpretation of the radiological image of the joint in health and when affected by osteoarthrosis and internal derangement is presented.