Correlation between condylar size on CT and position of the articular disc on MRI of the temporomandibular joint

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the size of the mandibular condyle and the temporomandibular joint disc position using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: One hundred joints were retrospectively analyzed. The measures analyzed included the condylar head height, the medio-lateral and antero-posterior dimensions of the condylar head, and the TMJ disc position. ANOVA correlation coefficient and Tukey’s post hoc test were employed. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 20.3 years. There were no significant correlations between the disc position in closed-mouth and the condylar head sizes. There was no significant correlation between the position of the disc in open mouth and the height of the condylar head, but there were statistically significant associations between the position of the disc and the horizontal condylar dimensions, the medial-lateral (p < .014), and the anterior-posterior sizes (p < .020). Conclusion: The condylar head size was smaller in subjects with disc displacement without reduction.