Improved magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint by oblique scanning planes.

This study was undertaken to investigate whether the quality of magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joint could be improved by scanning in oblique planes oriented according to the individual angle of the mandibular condyle (oblique images) instead of in the true anatomic sagittal and coronal planes (orthogonal images). Sagittal and coronal magnetic resonance images obtained by both methods in 21 patients were compared for image quality of the disk. In more than half the patients the oblique images demonstrated the anatomy of the disk better than the orthogonal images. Oblique images are therefore recommended.