Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: correlation of arthrographic imaging with surgical findings.

Sixty-seven patients, who were surgically treated for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), were retrospectively examined. The patients were evaluated preoperatively by clinical and arthrographic examinations and these results were compared with findings at surgery. Partial or complete dislocation of the disc was detected by arthrographic examination in 65 joints. Actual disc displacement was demonstrated at surgery in 57 TMJs, giving arthrography a positive predictive value of 88% for detecting disc dislocation. Arthrographic diagnosis of disc perforation was unreliable, as both false positive and false negative observations were recorded. Arthrography was found to have a positive predictive value of only 53% for assessing disc perforation. Based upon its proven inaccuracy, invasiveness and discomfort to the patient, it is recommended to replace arthrography by magnetic resonance imaging.

Soft tissue response to polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone rubber in humans: morphological and immunohistochemical observations.

The objective of this study was by morphological and immunohistochemical means to investigate the cellular tissue response to the alloplastic materials polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE polymer), and soft and hard silicone rubber over time. In seven healthy volunteers implants made of Proplast-Teflon, and soft and hard silicone were inserted subcutaneously in unloaded areas in the iliac crest region. After 1, 2, 4, 12, and 26 weeks, respectively, the implants with surrounding soft tissue were removed en bloc for histological and immunohistochemical examination using a panel of antibodies to various leukocyte markers. The tissue reaction to the various alloplastic materials varied greatly with the focus on macrophage and giant cell reactions and eventual formation of a peri-implant fibrous capsule. The most extensive changes developed next to porous Proplast, both with respect to degree of changes and endurance of tissue reaction. Less intense reactions were seen, in decreasing order, to soft silicone, Teflon, and hard silicone. The study gave no clues to a toxic, allergic, or traditional immunological pathogenesis of the tissue reaction induced by the test materials.

Morphologic and immunohistochemical observation of explanted Proplast-Teflon temporomandibular joint interpositional implants.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular tissue response to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Proplast-Teflon disc material by morphologic and immunohistochemical means. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients who had been subjected to TMJ discectomy combined with insertion of a Proplast-Teflon interpositional implant (PTIPI) were recalled for removal of the alloplastic disc. The time elapsed between the Proplast-Teflon disc implantation and its removal varied between 13 and 71 months (mean, 54.6 +/- 5.8 [SEM]) The implants and periimplant tissues were examined by light microscopy and immunohistochemically using a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with different subclasses of leukocytes. The sections were immunostained using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. RESULTS: Fibrosis and a massive foreign body giant cell reaction were seen inside the heavily disrupted alloplastic implants and in the periimplant tissues. CD68-positive monocyte-derived cells dominated the reactive infiltrate in the implants and surrounding tissue. The CD68-positive cells also were partly positive for lysozyme. The lymphocytic infiltration contained no B cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study of the PTIPI-induced tissue reaction gave no indication of a toxic or an immunologic pathogenesis. Mechanical stress seems important in the fragmentation of the implant and induction of the foreign body reaction. It is not yet known if this fragmentation is the major contributing factor.

Surgical treatment of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: long-term evaluation of three techniques.

PURPOSE: The long-term outcomes of three different surgical treatments for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), ie, discoplasty, discectomy without replacement, and discectomy with replacement of the disc with a Proplast-Teflon (Vitek Inc, Houston, TX) interpositional implant (PTIPI) are compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two cases of internal derangement of the TMJ were treated with disc repair and eminectomy (group A, n = 13), simple discectomy (group B, n = 17) and discectomy combined with insertion of a PTIPI (group C, n = 12). Preoperative and postoperative findings (more than 5-year follow-up) relating to pain, mouth opening, joint noise, and radiographic changes were compared. RESULTS: Decrease of symptoms after surgery was reported by 77%, 94%, and 83% of the patients (groups A, B, and C, respectively). The decrease in pain intensity ranged from 52% to 71%. Mouth opening increased in 50% to 60% of the patients. The percentage increase ranged from 15% to 26% in the respective groups. Development of osteoarthrosis after surgery was demonstrated in 93% and 100% of the cases in the discectomy and discectomy/disc implant group, respectively, but only in 62% of the discoplasty group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of a functioning disc in the TMJ. There was no significant difference between the groups concerning symptoms before and after surgery. The discoplasty group, however, showed a high frequency of relapse, which necessitated secondary discectomy. PTIPIs clearly accelerated the development of osteoarthrosis, which may be classified as iatrogenic damage. The need for further research to establish the long-term performance of autogenous grafts and the development of improved alloplastic disc replacement materials is discussed.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and facial pain caused by neoplasms. Report of three cases.

The most frequent causes of painful limitation of temporomandibular joint function are myofascial pain dysfunction or anterior disk displacement. A potential problem in dealing with those patients is the risk of misdiagnosing the rare patient who has a neoplastic disease, primary or metastatic to the epipharyngeal region, parotid gland, jaws, or temporomandibular joint. Three cases are presented in which progressively worsening limitation of mandibular movement and increasing pain led to the diagnosis of a neoplasm in the temporomandibular joint region. The article illustrates the necessity of performing a thorough clinical and radiographic examination.

In vivo deterioration of proplast-teflon temporomandibular joint interpositional implants: a scanning electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis.

The surgical treatment of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) often involves disc removal. Alloplastic interpositional implants for disc replacement have been widely used to avoid the development of osteoarthritic changes in the TMJ. This study reports the in vivo wear characteristics of Proplast-Teflon (Vitek Inc, Houston, TX) interpositional implants (PTIPI) in 12 patients who had their implants for 13 to 71 (mean 54.6 +/- 5.8 SEM) months. In all cases, changes in the condyle and fossa were found resulting from resorption and replacement of the articulating bone by granulomatous tissue. All implants showed significant signs of wear, such as thinning, cracks, and tears, and overt perforations were seen in five cases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDAX) showed numerous microfragments of the PTIPI in the peri-implant soft tissues. Microfragments were demonstrated by their aluminum content. In addition to the inflammatory foreign-body reaction, it is suggested that there also were toxic and hypersensitivity reactions to aluminum involved in the pathogenesis of the bone destruction.

[The faces of violence. Norway--a violent society?]. / Voldens ansikter. Norge--et voldssamfunn?

During the period 1960-89 there has been a significant change in the pattern of maxillofacial injuries. In spite of increased motoring, road traffic accidents as a cause of facial injuries have been surpassed by injuries caused by violent behaviour. This may be explained by a change in the social structure, with a tendency towards a more hostile community and lack of social network. The victims are usually young, single, uneducated men without work who live in the cities. 50% had been drinking alcohol at the time of the accident. 60% of the injuries occurred at night, and 79% during the weekend. Does this imply that the main cause of maxillofacial injuries is one of behaviour?

Extraoral subcondylar ramus osteotomy for correction of mandibular prognathism. The surgical technique and complications.

1178 patients with mandibular prognathism and/or asymmetry, in some cases combined with maxillary retrognathism, were treated by extraoral horizontal or oblique ramus osteotomy during the period from 1939 to 1989. The described percutaneous retromandibular approach is a simple, rapid and reliable technique which can usually be performed under local anaesthesia. Very few complications, particularly neurological, were observed. These aspects justify consideration of this technique when indications for a simple, straight set-back procedure of the mandible exist, and there is no tendency to bite-opening. However, the method demands intermaxillary fixation for 6-9 weeks postoperatively.