The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse the relationship between horizontal size of the mandibular condyle and internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
One hundred and thirty-nine joints in 88 women aged over 18 years were included in this study. The horizontal condylar size was measured in the antero-posterior and medio-lateral (ML) dimensions using axial magnetic resonance (MR) images. Radiological findings of ID were also assessed from MR imaging.
The condyles in the joints with permanent disk displacement were smaller than those in joints without displacement in both dimensions (Fisher's protected least significant difference, P<0.05). There were statistically significant correlations between horizontal condylar size in the ML dimension and both disk morphology and radiological stage of ID (Spearman's correlation coefficient by rank, P<0.05).
The results of this study suggest a possible relationship between horizontal condylar size and disk displacement. It is also suggested that the condyle becomes smaller in the ML dimension with advancement of ID.