Evaluation of Trabecular Structure Changes in Osteoarthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint with Cone Beam CT Imaging

Publication date: Available online 8 June 2017
Source:Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Author(s): Xin liang, Shuming Liu, Xingmin Qu, Zhihui Wang, Jianbo Zheng, Xiaoyan Xie, Guowu Ma, Zuyan Zhang, Xuchen Ma
ObjectivesTo explore the possibility of using 2D image assessments in combination with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) patients to enhance the clinical significance and applicability of the CBCT findings of TMJOA changes.Study Design52 patients with unilateral TMJOA and 40 healthy adults who had had CBCT scans in preparation for orthodontic treatment were selected for this study. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) images were acquired in the CBCT scans. All images were classified into four phases (slight erosion, widespread erosion, appearance of bone maintenance, and partial loss of condylar head with a remodelled cortical surface) and four levels of severity (absent, slight, moderate, and extensive). Quantitative microstructural analysis including bone value fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb,Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) of each image was performed using a customized software.ResultsIn unilateral TMJOA patients, the affected side had significantly higher BV/TV and Tb.N and significant lower Tb.Sp than the unaffected side. Compared to the healthy patients, the affected joints of the TMJOA patients had significantly higher BV/TV and Tb.Th and significantly lower Tb.N and Tb.Sp. No significant difference was found among different phase groups or different severity levels.ConclusionsCBCT combined with a software investigation protocol for microstructure measurement can be used to provide reliable trabecular parameters in assessing TMJOA.



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