Ezgi Yüceer Çetiner, Dilara Kazan, Burcu Baş Akkor
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2025;8(6):1149-1154
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical outcomes following arthrocentesis in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods: A total of 67 patients who had been diagnosed with disc position abnormalities and degenerative temporomandibular joint conditions based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), had preoperative MRI scans, and were treated with arthrocentesis were included in the study. The recorded preoperative variables included age, sex, pain, and maximum mouth opening (MMO). Degree of disc displacement and joint effusion were assessed using preoperative magnetic resonance images. Bone changes were evaluated using both preoperative magnetic resonance and panoramic radiography images. Arthrocentesis was considered successful when the MMO exceeded 35 mm and the pain score was less than 3. Results: At the 1-week and 3-month follow-ups, clinical examinations showed a significant reduction in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and an increase in MMO (p<0.001). The total success rate increased from 19.4% at the 1-week follow-up to 44.8% at 3 months, indicating a significant improvement over time. MRI findings, including disc displacement, effusion, and bone changes, showed no statistically significant association with treatment success. Although patients without effusion showed lower V AS scores at 1 week, this difference did not persist at 3 months. Conclusion: Arthrocentesis is a successful intervention for treating TMD, resulting in significant reductions in pain and functional limitation. However, commonly evaluated preoperative MRI features do not appear to predict clinical success.
