Abstract
The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for diagnosing internal derangement of temporomandibular joint, and comparing its accuracy with the magmatic resonance imaginggold standard was evaluated in 20 Patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I include five patients without any sign or symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (control group). Group II included 15 patients suffering from unilateral or bilateral temporomandibular joint disorders such as pain, clicking dislocation, difficulty in opening the mouth. All patients were examined with panoramic radiography, ultrasonography followed by Magnetic resonance imaging. In Group I, ultrasonographic imaging demonstrated a normal disc space ranged between 2.8 and 5 mm in the closed mouth position, and a space ranging between 5 to 7 mm in the opened mouth position. While, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated normal disc position in relation to the condyle and the glenoid fossa. In group II: Ultrasonographic imaging demonstrated a disc space within normal range in four cases; the remaining 11 cases demonstrated increased the disc space which ranged between 7 and 10 mm in the closed mouth position and between 10 and 17 mm in the opened mouth position. While, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated 12 cases (88%) with anterior disc displacement. The remaining three cases were demonstrated normal disc position. The ultrasonography, as non-invasive and significantly low cost diagnostic technique, can be used for patients clinically suspected to have temporomandibular joint disorders to exclude the negative results before request the more expensive and invasive images. [KhaledAlashiry, Mahmoud E. Khalifa and Ashraf Abo Khalaf. Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography for Evaluation of Internal Derangement of the Temporomandibular Joint. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):2581-2587]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.374