January 2001, Volume 30, Issue 1, Pages 10 - 13

Article

Thickening of the glenoid fossa in osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint. An autopsy study K Honda1, TA Larheim2, T Sano3, K Hashimoto1, K Shinoda1 & P-L Westesson4 1Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan     2Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Oslo, Faculty of Dentistry, Oslo, Norway     3Department of Oral Radiology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan     4Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, USA     Correspondence to: TA Larheim, Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Oslo, Faculty of Dentistry, PO Box 1109 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo Norway

Keywords

temporomandibular joint disorders;   temporomandibular joint disk;   osteoarthritis;   temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in relationship to the stage of internal derangement from autopsy material. Material and methods: The minimum thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa was measured with a caliper in 61 TMJ autopsy specimens. Based on macroscopic examination the joints were categorized as normal (30 joints), disk displacement (eight joints), disk displacement with osteoarthritis (12 joints) and osteoarthritis with perforation of the disk or posterior attachment (11 joints). The relationship between thickness of roof of the glenoid fossa and status of the joint was analysed. Results: The roof of the glenoid fossa was on the average 0.6 mm in normal joints, 1.1 mm in joints both with disk displacement and disk displacement with osteoarthritis and 2.6 mm in joints with osteoarthritis and perforation. The difference between the normal joints and those with perforation was significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Progressive remodeling with thickening of the roof of the glenoid fossa seems to be associated with perforation of the disk or posterior attachment.

Received 15 June 1999; Accepted 13 July 2000

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