The Diagnostic Role of Ultrasonography in Rheumatic Diseases Affecting the Temporomandibular Joint

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 314 - 323, 28.05.2025

Zeliha Merve Semerci , Sevcihan Günen Yılmaz

https://doi.org/10.53394/akd.1473525

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are complex and can significantly impact quality of life due to their role in mastication, speech, and facial expressions. Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus frequently involve the TMJ, complicating diagnosis and management. Conventional imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), while effective, are limited by high costs, accessibility issues, and, in the case of CT, radiation exposure. Ultrasonography emerges as a cost-effective, non-invasive alternative that provides real-time images of both soft and hard tissue structures, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient management. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge and recent advancements in ultrasonic imaging, comparing its efficacy with conventional methods and discussing its potential in guiding therapeutic strategies. The ability of ultrasonography to visualize dynamic changes and detect early signs of involvement makes it particularly valuable in managing chronic rheumatic conditions. However, the technique's effectiveness depends on the operator's expertise, and there is a need for standardized protocols. This review also underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of TMJ disorders in rheumatic disease patients and suggests directions for future research and clinical practice improvements. The integration of high-resolution ultrasonography could revolutionize the diagnostic landscape, offering a patient-friendly, accurate, and accessible tool for the early detection and ongoing monitoring of TMJ disorders.

Keywords

temporomandibular joint, rheumatic diseases, ultrasonography

Temporomandibular Eklemi Etkileyen Romatizmal Hastalıklarda Ultrasonografik Görüntülemenin Tanısal Değeri

Abstract

Temporomandibular eklem (TME) bozuklukları kompleks yapıda olup, çiğneme, konuşma ve yüz ifadelerindeki etkileri nedeniyle yaşam kalitesini önemli ölçüde etkileyebilir. Romatoid artrit, psoriatik artrit ve sistemik lupus eritematozus gibi romatizmal hastalıklar sıklıkla temporomandibular ekleme etki eder, tanı ve hastalık yönetimini karmaşıklaştırır. Manyetik rezonans görüntüleme (MRG) ve bilgisayarlı tomografi (BT) gibi geleneksel görüntüleme teknikleri tercih edilebilir olmakla birlikte, yüksek maliyetler, erişilebilirlik sorunları ve BT açısından radyasyon maruziyeti ile kullanımları sınırlıdır. Ultrasonografi, hem yumuşak hem de sert doku yapıların gerçek zamanlı görüntülerini sağlayarak tanı doğruluğunu ve hasta yönetimini artıran; düşük maliyetli, invaziv olmayan bir alternatif metod olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu anlatısal derleme, ultrasonografik görüntülemede, güncel literatür bilgilerini ve son gelişmeleri sentezlemekte, geleneksel yöntemlerle etkinliğini karşılaştırmakta ve ultrason görüntülemenin terapötik stratejileri yönlendirmedeki potansiyelini tartışmaktadır. Ultrasonografinin dinamik değişiklikleri gösterme ve hastalık erken belirtilerini tespit etme yeteneği, özellikle kronik romatizmal durumların yönetiminde değerli kılmaktadır. Ancak, görüntülemenin etkinliği operatörün uzmanlığına bağlıdır ve bu açıdan standart protokollerin gerekli olmaktadır. Bu derleme, romatizmal hastalığı olan hastalarda temporomandibular eklem bozukluklarının tanı ve yönetiminde multidisiplinliner bir yaklaşımın önemini vurgulamakta ve gelecek araştırmalar ve klinik pratiğindeki gelişmeler için yönlendirme sağlamaktadır. Yüksek çözünürlüklü ultrasonografinin entegrasyonu, tanı ve tedavi takibinde oldukça efektif olabilmekte, temporomandibular eklem bozukluklarının erken tespiti ve takibi için hasta dostu, güvenilir ve erişilebilir bir görüntüleme yöntemi olarak karşımıza çıkabilmektedir.

Keywords

temporomandibular eklem, romatizmal hastalıklar, ultrasonografi

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