Pilot Study to Show the Feasibility of High-Resolution Sagittal Ultrasound Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint

Purpose To show the feasibility of acquiring high-resolution sagittal ultrasound (US) images of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Patients and Methods We used commercially available US probes to assess the TMJ via a transoral soft tissue window to acquire sagittal images. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical correlation were compared with the US findings by the consensus assessment of 2 of the senior investigators. Results The sample was composed of 10 TMJs (6 participants) with an age range of 34 to 71 years and a male-female ratio of 3:1. The condyle and subcondylar surface were visible in 10 of 10 joints (100%), the disc in 7 of 10 joints (70%), and the pterygoid muscles in 6 of 10 joints (60%). In the 5 joints with magnetic resonance correlation, disc position and configuration were confirmed in all cases. Conclusions We show the first sagittal transoral sonograms of the TMJ disc and associated joint components.