• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.227-230
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• 2016

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare disease. The most common symptoms of this disease are acute malocclusion, limited mouth opening, swelling, and tenderness of affected TMJ. These symptoms are often confused with internal derangement of the articular disc, rheumatoid arthritis, retrodiscitis, or osteoarthritis. Therefore, differential diagnosis by image examination is required. Usually, antimicrobial treatment and surgical drainage by needle aspiration, arthroscopy, or arthrotomy are effective treatment approaches. In this study, a patient who was diagnosed with septic arthritis was treated with arthrocentesis and antibiotics without significant complications. We present a case report with a review of the literature.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder follow-up and determine the factors that affect the TMJ bone scan hot spot numerical value (bone scan value), and to compare this value to the diagnosis of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), their treatment options, and the resolution of their symptoms. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 24 patients (four males, 20 females) who received TMD treatment in the Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (Seongnam, Korea) from 2007 to 2014. An analysis of the significance test and correlation between TMD diagnosis, treatment options, a baseline the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire, treatment before and after the clinical examination and subjective progress, and TMJ bone scan value change were completed by using SPSS version 12.0. Result: Although only 14 patients had bony factors that caused TMD, the average pre-treatment bone scan value of the all patients was $4.29{\pm}0.31$, which is higher than the finding for osteoarthritis (3.88), and reduced post-treatment bone scan value was found to be without a statistically significant difference (P=0.056). After the treatments, clinical symptoms in 18 patients disappeared, and six patients did not require additional treatment, although they still displayed subjective symptoms. It was observed that the higher the pre-treatment bone scan value, nonspecific physical symptoms, chronic pain index, characteristic pain intensity, disability score, were, the lower the post-treatment bone scan value was. And this reduced post-treatment bone scan value tendency was not shown with the pre-treatment depression index, but there was not a statistical difference. Conclusion: The post-treatment TMJ bone scan value tended to be insignificantly reduced in the 24 patients whose clinical symptoms were improved (P=0.056). Moreover, the TMJ bone scan value showed no relation to the TMD type or its related symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.403-410
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• 2009

Those composing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complex such as the temporal bone, the disc and the mandibular condyle perform their own functions with organic relation. The retrodiscal tissue is the main area of pain induction and contributes to compositional change of synovial fluid. If displacement of the disc lasts long time, not only adaptive changes, but also destructive or degenerative changes may happen. It was reported that these changes and symptoms appear mostly to female rather than male and especially, in the case of patients suffering from TMJ disorder, a large quantity of female sex hormone is found in the joint synovium. And that may play a role in bone resorption and inflammation. Also, the frequency and the intensity of pain perception for female is reported to be much more than for male. In this study, we investigated the expression extents of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesteron receptors (PR) in retrodiscal tissue with immunohistochemistry among the patients received TMJ surgery and compared with MRI findings and surgical findings. We report the relations between the expression of ER in retrodiscal tissue and the pathological change in TMJ, such as inflammation, internal derangement and osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.145-152
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• 2018

A 57 years old female complained of severe pain on the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. Her right condyle had been partly resected under surgical operation 13 years ago due to condyle hypertrophy, thereafter she felt dull pain on TMJ area and recently the lesion became severely swelled and painful leading to cancer phobia. The present radiological views showed slightly enlarged and sclerosed condyle with increased radiopacity, but its articular sliding function was almost disable during mouth opening. The patient's TMJ lesion was carefully managed with conservative physiotherapy and pain treatment. The microsection of condyle head obtained from the previous operation was re-evaluated histologically, and it was finally diagnosed as osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), exhibiting hyperplastic proliferation of cartilage in condyle head and marked vascular dilatation in epiphyseal zone. This abnormal cartilage tissue was distinguishable from normal cartilage tissue found in the peripheral cartilaginous cap of the same microsection. The involved cartilage cap showed thick hypertrophic chondrocyte zone with horizontal and vertical clefts accompanying diffuse hyaline degeneration. The superficial fibrous zone of cartilage cap was thickened and frequently peeled off, while lower hypertrophic zone of cartilage cap was highly cellular and proliferative. Consequently, the endochondral ossification became aberrant and resulted pre-mature apoptosis of many hypertrophic chondrocytes, followed by diffuse and mild inflammatory reaction in the underlying marrow tissue. Therefore, it was suggested that this hypertrophic condyle lesion, OCD, be differentiated depending on radiological and histological features from ordinary condyle hyperplasia, osteochondroma, and osteoarthritis, and that the pathological confirmation of OCD may provide a reliable modality for dental and medical treatment of chronic and painful TMJ lesion.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2023

This report presents the case of a 14-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in both temporomandibular joints (TMJs), in whom a bone scan and laboratory tests were used to confirm the diagnosis. The patient visited the Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at the affiliation hospital with a complaint of a 1-year history of bilateral TMJ pain and sound. Clinical examination revealed bilateral TMJ and masseter muscle pain during mouth opening and palpation. Radiological examination revealed no significant morphological changes in either TMJ. The patient was prescribed medications at the first visit to address the pain, inflammation, and stiffness. A bone scan and laboratory tests were planned/scheduled for differential diagnosis between simple arthralgia and osteoarthritis. The bone scan revealed increased radiotracer uptake in both TMJs. The laboratory tests revealed a RA factor of 82.4 IU/mL, which is more than four times the normal range. The final diagnoses were bilateral TMJ early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We created a stabilization splint and referred the patient to the Department of Rheumatology for further evaluation of the ERA. After fitting of the stabilization splint and giving instructions regarding its use, the patient has been receiving monthly follow-up checks for symptoms and undergoes follow-up blood tests every 3 months. About 14 months after the initial visit, the pain had significantly decreased from a Visual Analog Scale score of 5 to 1, and the RA factor decreased to 66.6 IU/mL. A regular follow-up check will continue until the end of growth.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 2013

This study is designed to evaluate the treatment outcome of occlusal stabilizing splint and to assess follow-up study of condylar bony changes using cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) in adolescents patients (12-19 years) with TMJ osteoarthritis(OA). 167 eroded condyles in 149 subjects were chosen among the patients who presented to the Department of Oral Medicine of Pasan National University Hospital, diagnosed as TMJ osteoarthritis by clinical exam, x-ray and CBCT from 2009 to 2012. They were treated conservatively with physical therapy, medication, behavioral therapy and occlusal stabilizing splint therapy. After average 9 months, CBCT was retaken and subjective symptoms and clinical findings were investigated. Condyle bony changes were classified by unchanged, less severe and more severe. The obtained results were as follow: 1. Pain, Noise, LOM(Limitation of motion) and MCO(Maximum comfortable opening) measurement of TMJ OA patients were markedly improved after conservative treatment. 2. In the occlusal stabilizing splint therapy group, Pain and LOM were statistically significant improved than non-occlusal stabilizing splint therapy group. 3. In the acute occlusal stabilizing splint therapy group, Pain and LOM were remarkably improved. 4. In comparison of CBCT1 and CBCT2 images, the transition of bone changes to lesser severe was most commonly in joint with erosive change. 5. In the non-occlusal stabilizing splint therapy group, the transition of condylar bone changes from erosion to more severe was many than occlusal stabilizing splint therapy group.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.370-378
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is that evaluate the distribution and biological roles of TNF-a, interleukin-1${\beta}$(IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in the synovial fliud of patients with non-inflammatory chronic temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorders in relation to pain during joint movements and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings. TMJ synovial fluids aspirates were obtained from 36 patients (36 joints) with chronic TMJ disorders and from 8 controls(8 joints). Patients were divided to four groups. The control group was from healthy volunteers(8 joints), group I(18 joints) was patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction, group II(5 joints) was patients with disc displacement without reduction and group III (5 joints) was osteoarthritis. The TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 levels in the aspirates were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the TIMP-1 level was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Following examinations for pain during joint movements and MRI observations, these cytokines' level and frequencies of detection were compared. The level of IL-1${\beta}$was not significant different in all groups. but the level of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 were significant different among groups. The level of IL-6 and TIMP-1 were correlated to pain during movement(p<0.01) and the level of TNF-a(p<0.05). Also, the level of IL-6 was correlated to the level of TIMP-1(p<0.01). Especially, The level of the TIMP-1 level was significantly correlated to the pain during movement and showed very high levle of Pearson's correlation coefficient (r=0.833)(p<0.001). The results indicated that the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 levels in the TMJ aspirates of patients with chronic TMJ disorders have been raised. Especially, IL-6 and TIMP-1 were very high levels in the patients who were degraded in the TMJ. Also, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 showed the significant correlation in the chronic temporomandibular joint disorders. Therefore I suggest that these cytokines were also correlated to the pain during movement in the chronic temporomandibular joint disorders.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.162-167
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• 2010

This is a case report about patient who had suffered from degenerative joint disease and treated by TMJ reconstruction with condylar prosthesis. The patient visited Korea University An-am hospital on 2007 complaining symptom about both TMJ pain, mouth opening limitation and open bite. From CT view there was severe resorption of both condylar head, therefore condylar prosthesis reconstruction was planned. After 3D RP model analysis for preparation, the patient was operated under general anesthesia for condylar prosthesis reconstruction and the symptom was alleviated. (increased mouth opening, reduced anterior open bite, full mouth occlusal contact achieved) Follow up was carried out monthly, but after this, patient refused follow up. After 26 months from the operation, the patient revisited for anterior open bite. In clinical evaluation, occlusal contact was remained, but anterior open bite was relapsed. From cephalometry analysis, severe resorption of glenoid fossa was found. Therefore, Autogenous disc reconstruction with alloplastic material was planned on August 2009. After another surgery, condylar prosthesis was regained its normal position in glenoid fossa, and occlusion was recovered properly.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2020

Chronic otitis media (COM) is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the middle ear, mastoid cavity. It presents hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation and intracranial complication. Intracranial complications such as skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) may occur secondary to COM due to transmission of infection by a number of possible routes. SBO is an uncommon condition with a significant morbidity and mortality if not treated in the early stages. We report a-67-year-old male patient with diabetes and untreated COM who presented atypical severe TMJ, periorbital and postmandibular pain. By computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole body bone scan (WBBS), he was diagnosed with SBO spreading from untreated COM via infective arthritis of TMJ. Through this case, we suggest proper utilization of diagnostic imaging, especially CT or MRI for the early detection of SBO in the case of COM accompanying with the greater risk of infection developments such as diabetes.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.93-107
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• 1997

Magnetic resonance imaging has been used in the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) primarily to define morphology and positional relationship of associating structures. This report examines signal intensity characteristics of the posterior attachment as they related to the severity of internal derangement. Fifty six joints in 35 patients with a history of TMJ dysfunction were imaged writ MR using $T_1$-weighted spin echo sequence. According to disk position, ability to reduction, and the presence of osteoarthritis, the joints were categorized into three groups. A group 1 was anterior disk displacement with reduction; a group 2 was anterior disk displacement without reduction; a group 3 was anterior disk displacement without reduction and condyle had osteoarthritic change. The control group was determined by the clinical absence of any signs or symptoms of current or past TMJ pain and dysfunction. Calculated the relative value of MR signal intensity in posterior attachment and disk to cerebral cortex of temporal lobe by means of computer program, we have compared them with each groups. The result showed statistically little significant difference of disk signal intensity among each groups. but, signal intensity from posterior attachment in group 2 and 3 were significantly(p<0.05) decreased than control group. this might reflect an fibrosis or hyalinization of posterior attachment, which was part of remodeling process that occurs in disk displacement without reduction. However, this study could not demonstrate histologic confirmation of the decreased signal intensity in the posterior attachment. So, further investigation could be needed to understand the association between them.