Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRI findings of children with rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) affecting the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and correlate these findings with symptoms. MRI studies of the TMJ in 26 children with a clinical diagnosis of JRA were retrospectively reviewed. All studies included oblique and sagittal T1, T2*, proton density/T2, and coronal T1-weighted images. T1 and proton density/T2-images were repeated with the mouth open. Post contrast sagittal and coronal T1-images were obtained in 19 patients. All studies were done on either 1.5 Tesla or 3.0 Tesla units with dedicated surface coils. By consensus, two radiologists evaluated the studies for abnormal condyles, bone erosions, presence or absence of discs, effusions, contrast enhancement and pannus. Open mouth views were assessed for incomplete or abnormal translation. Clinical records were reviewed to correlate symptoms with MRI findings. Abnormal condyles were seen in 49%. Discs were identifiable in 71%. Abnormal translation was seen in 71% and pannus in 49%. Erosions were seen in 37%, effusions in 24% and contrast enhancement in 50%. Correlation with clinical examination showed that of five asymptomatic patients, three had abnormal translation. Fifteen patients presented joint asymmetry on clinical examination and all showed abnormal translation on MRI. Our findings suggest that abnormal translation and joint enhancement may be the most common MRI findings in JRA patients with TMJ arthritis. Abnormalities may occur even in the absence of symptoms and the most common finding in symptomatic patients is abnormal translation.
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