MRI findings of the antero-superior attachment of the disc in TMJ internal derangement

측두하악관절 내장증에서의 관절원판 전상방부착부의 자기공명영상

Purpose : To describe the MRI findings of the antero-superior attachment of the disc in patients with internal derangement. Materials and Methods : One hundred fifty-six MR images from 40 normal subjects and 55 abnormal subjects were classified into three study groups of normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction and anterior disc displacement without reduction. On both closed- and open-mouth proton density sagittal images, the depiction of the antero-superior attachment of the disc and its demarcation from the disc were evaluated in three cuts of lateral, central and medial one thirds of the condyle. Results : The depiction of antero-superior attachment was more frequent by the order of normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction and anterior disc displacement without reduction groups, and the significant differences were found on lateral cut of the closed images and lateral and central cuts of the open images. In study for the demarcation between the antero-superior attachment and the disc the lateral cut of the closed images and all three cuts of the open images showed significant differences. Conclusion : Open images are useful to show the difference in depiction of the antero-superior attachment of the disc among the TMJ groups.