High resolution ultrasound investigation of the temporomandibular joint in patients with chronic polyarthritis.

40 patients with chronic polyarthritis were investigated prospectively. The TMJ was investigated to detect clicking, crepitation, and pain. High resolution ultrasound (HR-US) assessed destructive changes, effusion, and disc dislocation. The results of the clinical investigation and the HR-US investigation were compared using the χ(2) test. The statistical calculation of the correlation between the HR-US results and the clinical TMJ investigation by the χ(2) test showed a significant correlation between TMJ sounds, destructive changes and disc dislocation. A significant correlation between TMJ joint effusion, TMJ pathology and TMJ pain was detected using the χ(2) test. Pain on palpation of the masseter and temporal muscle correlated significantly with TMJ effusion. There was significant correlation between TMD and the HR-US diagnosis of destructive changes and effusion. The significant correlation between TMJ effusion and actual TMJ pain and TMJ pain on palpation shows the ability of HR-US to detect acute TMJ affection with high significance. There was a significant correlation between effusion and pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles, which could be interpreted as the ability of HR-US to determine acute TMD. That any TMD correlated significantly with destructive changes and TMJ effusion suggests that HR-US could detect chronic and acute TMD.