Corelation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Pain Scoring in Temporomandibular Joint Diseases

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are very frequent and they present with pain mostly. This study presents the corelation of MRI and pain.

96 patients with TMJ complaints were evaluated with MRI and Visual analog scale (VAS:0 means no pain, 10 means most) Patients were given a questionnaire which examines the age, sex, painful joint and pain (VAS).

77 female, 19 male patients were evaluated. Mean VAS value of 33 patients who had a normal MRI findings was 4,82. Mean VAS value of 63 patients who had a positive (reduced or irreduced disc dislocation) MRI finding was 5,58. There were no corelation between VAS and positive MRI finding. (p>0,05)

30 patients who had reduced disc dislocation in the MRI had a VAS value of 5,63. 33 patients who had irreduced disc dislocation in the MRI had a VAS value of 5,54. There were no corelation between reduction and VAS. (p>0,05)

In conclusion, pain is a subjective criteria and there’s no corelation between MRI and pain. Certainly it should be taken a careful anamnesis but VAS can not be used instead of MRI. Pain scoring and careful anamnesis must be combined with MRI findings.