Relationship between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and temporomandibular joint pain

PURPOSE:To investigate the relationship between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and joint pain. METHODS: Oblique sagittal T1 and T2 weighted MR imaging at closed mouth was obtained from 88 joints of 44 patients who complained of unilateral TMJ pain. The condylar marrow signal of pain-free side served as self-control. All patients rated their pain levels by a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Of 44 painful joints, 11(25%) joints showed condylar marrow signal abnormalities, all of which were edema pattern. While there had condylar marrow signal abnormalities only in 2(4.5%) of 44 pain-free TMJs. There was significant correlation between joint pain and condylar marrow signal abnormalities (P0.01). The VAS score of patients with and without condylar marrow signal abnormalities was respectively 39.5±27.5 and 42.6±21.9, There was no correlation between them(P=0.696). CONCLUSION: Temporomandibular joint pain is closely correlated with condylar marrow signal abnormalities, but the pain degree has no association with it.