Potential of ultra-high-resolution CT in detecting osseous changes of temporomandibular joint: experiences in temporomandibular disorders.

Background: Osseous changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are related to the progression of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and computed tomography (CT) plays a vital role in disease evaluation. Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the image quality and diagnostic value of ultra-high-resolution CT (U-HRCT) in TMD compared to cone-beam CT (CBCT). Methods: TMD patients who underwent both CBCT and U-HRCT between November 2021 and September 2022 were retrospectively included. Image quality scores were assigned for four osseous structures (the cortical and trabecular bones of the condyle, articular eminence, and glenoid fossa) by two independent observers from Score 1 (unacceptable) to Score 5 (excellent). Diagnostic classification of TMD was categorized as follows: Class A (no evident lesion), Class B (indeterminate condition) and Class C (definitive lesion). Image quality scores and diagnostic classifications were compared between CBCT and U-HRCT. The Cohen's Kappa test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were conducted for statistical analysis. Results: Thirty TMD patients (median age, 30 years; interquartile range, 26–43 years; 25 females) with 60 TMJs were enrolled. Image quality scores were higher for U-HRCT than for CBCT by both observers (all Ps < 0.001). Definitive diagnoses (Class A and C) were achieved in more cases with U-HRCT than with CBCT (93.3% vs. 65.0%, Fisher's exact value = 7.959, P = 0.012). Among the 21 cases which were ambiguously diagnosed (Class B) by CBCT, definitive diagnosis was achieved for 17 cases (81.0%) using U-HRCT. Conclusions: U-HRCT can identify osseous changes in TMD, providing improved image quality and a more definitive diagnosis, which makes it a feasible diagnostic imaging method for TMD. Key Results: In a retrospective study of 30 participants (60 temporomandibular joints, TMJ), ultra-high-resolution CT (U-HRCT) showed higher image quality scores for four osseous structures of the TMJ by two independent observers, as compared to cone-beam CT (CBCT) (all Ps < 0.001). U-HRCT achieved more definitive diagnoses than CBCT (93.3% vs. 65.0%, Fisher's exact value = 7.959, P = 0.012), and clarified diagnosis in 81.0% (17/21) cases which were ambiguously diagnosed by CBCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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