OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between abnormal bone marrow of the mandibular condyle and osteoarthritis. STUDY DESIGN: The relationship between abnormal bone marrow and osteoarthritis of the mandibular condyle was analyzed in magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joints of 74 patients. Thirty-seven patients had magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow, and 37 control patients had magnetic resonance images with normal bone marrow. RESULTS: Fifteen of 37 patients with magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow had no magnetic resonance evidence of osteoarthritis; the other 22 patients had both abnormal bone marrow and osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal bone marrow of the mandibular condyle can occur separately from osteoarthritis; nearly one half of the joints with magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow did not have any evident osteoarthritis. Abnormal bone marrow may therefore initially represent a separate disease entity. Over time, secondary osteoarthritis probably develops in joints with initial bone marrow abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between abnormal bone marrow of the mandibular condyle and osteoarthritis. STUDY DESIGN: The relationship between abnormal bone marrow and osteoarthritis of the mandibular condyle was analyzed in magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joints of 74 patients. Thirty-seven patients had magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow, and 37 control patients had magnetic resonance images with normal bone marrow. RESULTS: Fifteen of 37 patients with magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow had no magnetic resonance evidence of osteoarthritis; the other 22 patients had both abnormal bone marrow and osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS:Abnormal bone marrow of the mandibular condyle can occur separately from osteoarthritis; nearly one half of the joints with magnetic resonance evidence of abnormal bone marrow did not have any evident osteoarthritis. Abnormal bone marrow may therefore initially represent a separate disease entity. Over time, secondary osteoarthritis probably develops in joints with initial bone marrow abnormalities.
Authors: Liliane R Gomes; Marcelo Gomes; Bryan Jung; Beatriz Paniagua; Antonio C Ruellas; João Roberto Gonçalves; Martin A Styner; Larry Wolford; Lucia Cevidanes Journal: J Med Imaging (Bellingham) Date: 2015-07-07