Clinical comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear emission imaging in cervical-facial trauma patients.

This retrospective study examined 20 consecutively treated trauma patients who reported a chief complaint of earache or trauma preauricular pain. These individuals were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), emission study using single photon emission, computerized tomography, and joints auscultation using Doppler sound magnification. There are no statistically significant correlations between clinical findings and imaging studies in trauma patients with complaints of earaches and preauricular pain.

Clinical comparison of temporomandibular joint sound auscultation and emission imaging studies.

Single photon-emission computerized tomography scintigraphy was used to examine 250 patients who previously had temporomandibular joint sounds auscultated and recorded with a Doppler machine. Patients were divided into four groups based on the presence of joint sounds: no sound, reciprocal clicks, reciprocal clicks with crepitus, and crepitus. Statistically significant differences between the groups and the single photon-emission computerized tomography scintigraphy results were determined. There was no correlation between these results and the no sound and crepitus groups, but significant correlation was established between positive results and crepitant joints with reciprocal clicks and noncrepitant clicking joints.

Clinical management of a patient following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

This case report describes a patient in whom arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was used to break up adhesions between the TMJ disc and the articular eminence and therefore improve mobility of the joint. Postsurgical physical therapy procedures used were high voltage electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, moist heat, ultrasound, ice, mobilization, and therapeutic exercises. Postsurgical goals included normalization of range of motion, elimination of pain, elimination of inflammation, and mandibular function without restriction. Special emphasis is given to an unusually effective mobilization technique used to decrease tenderness in the TMJ. The conservative therapy described may be used for persons with similar symptoms and evaluation findings who do not require surgery. [Waide FL, Bade DM, Lovasko J, Montana J. Clinical management of a patient following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

Acute closed lock in a patient with lupus erythematosus: case review.

Collagen failure has been shown to result in synovitis, joint adhesions, and internal joint derangement. This case report illustrates the similarities between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and an internally deranged temporomandibular joint and patients with internal derangement with no lupus erythematosus. If abnormalities in intra-articular collagen tissue lead to adhesion formation and restrict normal mobility during translatory movements, joint mechanics would be compromised. Arthritic changes, vasculitis, and synovitis of systemic lupus erythematosus appear to be contributory factors in this pathophysiologic process. Diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopic surgery was performed. Acute and chronic signs of synovitis were observed during surgery, and tissue samples were obtained for histologic interpretation.

Facial growth after condylectomy and alloplastic condylar replacement.

Condylectomy or condylectomy with immediate alloplastic condylar replacement was performed in six young and six adult rhesus monkeys to investigate the role of the mandibular condyl in facial growth. The experimental findings support the hypothesis that the condyle does not have a primary influence on mandibular growth and that alterations in biomechanics are mainly responsible for the observed alterations in mandibular morphology after condylectomy.