Osteoarthritis and abnormal bone marrow of the mandibular condyle.

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.