MR abnormalities of the lateral pterygoid muscle in patients with nonreducing disk displacement of the TMJ

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathological changes of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with anterior disk displacement with nonreduction (ADDnr) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to compare the abnormal findings of the LPM with the clinical symptoms and other pathological MRI alterations of the TMJ. Bilateral or unilateral ADDnr was demonstrated in 142 patients by MRI (176 TMJs; 106 females; 36 males; range 19 to 72 years; mean 43.9 years). In 123 TMJs, the LPMs were clearly observed in MRIs and analyzed in this study. Pathological changes of the LPM were found in 92 TMJs (74.8%) in MRI. Hypertrophy, atrophy and/or contracture were detected in the superior belly of the LPM (SBLPM) (35.8%, 44/123) or in the inferior belly of the LPM (IBLPM) (9.8%, 12/123) or in both bellies (29.3%, 36/123). The pathological changes of the LPM in MRI presented a significant association with the main clinical symptoms of TMJs with ADDnr, i.e. pain on jaw movement (P<0.01), pain in the LPM (P<0.01), pain in TMJ (P<0.05) and restricted jaw opening (P<0.05). The proportion of the abnormalities in LPM was significantly lower in TMJs with condylar limitation (63.6%) than in TMJs with condylar hypermobility (83.3%) and normal motion (88.9%)(P=0.008). Osteoarthritis was found to be correlated with condylar limitation (P<0.01). The results of this study indicate that the pathological changes of the LPM in TMJs with ADDnr could be detected by MRI and have a significant association with the main clinical symptoms of the patients. When condylar limitation happened, on the contrary, the pathological changes of the LPM in MRI were reduced. The alteration of the clinical symptoms in the patients with ADDnr might be associated with the pathological situations and symptoms of the LPM.