Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical signs of temporomandibular joint disorders: a 10-year research update review

To review the past 10 years of research in the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders with pain, sound, and function limitation in the existing literature. A review of the literature was performed to search for all articles published between 2006 and 2016, and those that met the selection criteria were examined. The MRI results ranged from 25.3 to 69% for findings in TMJ with sound, 17-74.5% for findings in TMJ with function limitation, and 13.3-77% for findings in TMJ with pain. The reasons for the TMJ symptoms were variable and MRI findings for temporomandibular disorders were seen in asymptomatic patients as well as symptomatic patients. No singular outcome measure can be suggested as a predictor for TMJ symptoms on MRI images. To increase study comparability with MRI, a standardized terminology and evidence-based guidelines are required for correlations of clinical symptoms and MRI findings.