Comparison between three radiographic techniques for examination of the temporomandibular joints in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Comparison between orthopantomography, conventional radiography and lateral tomography for diagnosing arthritic lesions in the temporomandibular joints of 42 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis showed that each method seems to have diagnostic limitations. Concordance values of about 70 per cent were obtained. Most often destructive lesions of both the mandibular head and the fossa were observed at tomography. Secondary arthrosis, particularly sclerosis of the fossa, was most often diagnosed at conventional radiography. A combination of radiographic techniques seems to be most reliable for diagnosing arthritic joint abnormalities in children.