Ultrasound Imaging of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - Review

The temporomandibular joint is a ginglyoarthrodial joint where ginglyo represents hinging movement and arthrodial is gliding movement. . 1 Plain-film radiography and tomography are basic hard tissue imaging techniques for assessment of the TMJ; however, in patients with TMJ symptoms, evaluation of the soft tissues is frequently necessary, but these techniques are rarely definitive. With the development of other modalities such as arthrography, CT, MRI and, most recently, ultrasound, the understanding of the anatomy and the diagnosis of the TMJ disorders has been improved . 2 Ultrasound is defined as sound wave having a frequency greater than 20 kHz (acoustic = 20-20, 000 Hz). Two primary forms of ultrasound include diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic. This technique allows evaluation of all the components of the TMJ: the condylar head, the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, the disc, the joint capsule, the articular ligaments and the insertions of tendons. 3 This review will be compiling the various role of ultrasonography in various temporomandibular joint disorders.