Comparison of TMJ Disc Behaviour Post Treatment in Mandibular Condylar Fractures using Ultrasonography vs MRI

Aims:To evaluate the TMJ in mandibular condylar fracture cases and compare the specificity and sensitivity of ultrasonography relative to MRI in treated mandibular condylar fracture cases.Background: This study aims to evaluate the TMJ in mandibular condylar fracture cases treated by surgical vs non-surgical therapy and determine the competence of ultrasonography as a tool for examining the TMJ post treatment as compared to MRI.Materials and Methods: 30 patients with mandibular condylar fracture, 15 out of which underwent ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) and 15 underwent IMF (intermaxillary fixation) were assessed postoperatively using USG (ultrasonography) and the findings were compared with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) which is the gold standard.Results: Among the 15 cases treated by ORIF 4 patients showed TMJ disorders according to MRI and USG picked up 3 out of these 4 cases, while out of the 15 cases treated by IMF, 13 cases showed TMJ disorders according to MRI and USG picked up 10 out of these 13 cases. Conclusion:According to the present study, it appears that the restoration of TMJ function benefits from the anatomically correct reduction of the condylar fracture, which is achieved by ORIF.When compared to MRI, which is the gold standard, USG demonstrated great sensitivity and specificity in identifying TMJ effusion and disc displacement, findings imply that US may possibly be taken into consideration as a substitute technique to assess TMJ in patients unable to undergo MRI.Clinical significance: This study assesses two modalities of treatment of condylar fractures and analyses the utility of USG as a diagnostic tool in TMJ disorders.