Purpose: To explore the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping technique in clinical practice through morphological and quantitative analysis of T2 mapping sequences in adolescents with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and control groups comprising healthy participants.
Patients and Methods: A total of 45 and 63 patients, who had articular disc displacement with and without reduction, respectively, were assigned to the experimental groups, and 57 participants with normal articular discs of the temporomandibular joint were considered as the control group. All participants in the three groups underwent MRI. T2 mapping was performed in the oblique sagittal plane. The regions of interest (ROIs) for the T2 relaxation time maps of the disc were selected manually. The performance of morphological and structural changes and quantitative parameters in MRI T2 mapping image artifacts were statistically compared.
Results: In the control group, the mean T2 value was 39.284 ± 5.634 ms, in the group of disc displacement with reduction, the mean T2 value was 33.634 ± 4.235 ms, and in the group of disc displacement without reduction, the mean T2 value was 30.982 ± 3.205 ms. The T2 mapping values of the experimental groups, together with different morphological structures, were significantly lower than were those of the control group.
Conclusion: MRI T2 mapping enables a more accurate evaluation of TMD severity. Sequentially, it helps provide a more reliable medical imaging basis for classifying diagnosis and evaluation in clinical practice.
Keywords: temporomandibular joint disorders, articular disc of temporomandibular joint, adolescents, magnetic resonance imaging