First clinical experience with 3.0 T MRI of the human temporomandibular joint using a 4cm surface coil for examination in comparison to 1.5 T

Purpose : Imaging of TMJ with 1.5 T MRI using dedicated surface coils is already an established method for the diagnostics of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and degenerative joint disease (DJD). 3.0 T technology is expected to achieve an improved image quality, signal-to-noise-ratio, contrast and edge sharpness. Purpose of the study was to compare and to optimize the images with a dedicated 4cm surface coil on 3.0 T in comparison with a 3 inch surface coil on 1.5 T. Methods : In a prospective study 12 patients with TMJ pain were examined on 1.5 T MRI (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee) using an established 3-inch-surface coil first and following up on the same day with the new 3.0 T 4cm surface coil (Rapid Biomedical, Würzburg). After optimization of the sequences performed on phantoms and volunteers modified sagittal and coronal PD-FS sequences were chosen. Analysis of image quality was carried out by three independent radiologists. It was very important to figure the anatomical structures of the TMJ like articular discus, surface of the condyle, condylar deformities, joint surface of articular tuberculum, cartilage pathology, articular capsula and bilaminar zone. Results : Overall image quality was voted slightly better for the images obtained with a 3.0 T system. The above mentioned anatomical details were certainly identified on both image sets. For small cartilage or disc lesions the 3.0 T MR shows a slightly higher sensitivity. Conclusion : Initial experiences on 3.0 Tesla imaging using a 4cm surface coil demonstrates an improvement of image quality in the majority of cases.