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3D-visualization of the temporomandibular joint with focus on the articular disc based on clinical T1-, T2-, and proton density weighted MR images

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

An approach of 3D-visualization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with special focus on the articular disc based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was developed for the purpose of diagnosis support.

Materials and methods

Mandibular condyle and fossa were reconstructed as 3D-surfaces. Articular disc, retrocondylar tissue, and the lateral pterygoid muscle were visualized by means of direct volume rendering. By simultaneous visualization of both, the bony surfaces and the soft tissue, anterior disc displacement could be recognized in 3D-context. Additional superposition of the 3D-visualization with the original 2D-MRI slices allowed for a combination with conventional diagnostics. The method was tested for clinical T1-, T2-, and proton density weighted MRI data from four independent medical institutions.

Results

For all cases, the skeletal anatomy could be reproduced. Applied validation approaches showed good results. Anterior disc displacement could be clearly depicted as well as the incidence of reduction of the disc. By several experienced observers, the approach was rated as significant.

Conclusion

Although partially non-standard in the clinical routine the new method provided promising results for efficient diagnosis support. Its validity in the medical practice, namely, its impact for dislocation/deformity of the mandibular disc will be further analyzed.

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Abbreviations

TMJ:

Temporomandibular

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

CT:

Computer tomography

CBCT:

Cone-beam computer tomography

PDWI:

Proton density weighted images

T2WI:

T2-weighted images

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Applied Science - Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany

    Cornelia Kober

  2. Department of Computer Sciences, Kitami Institute of Technology, Kitami, Japan

    Yoshihiko Hayakawa

  3. Department of Orthodontics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Gero Kinzinger

  4. Dental School, KFS-KAB, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Luigi Gallo

  5. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan

    Mika Otonari-Yamamoto & Tsukasa Sano

  6. Klinik fuer Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany

    Robert Alexander Sader

Authors
  1. Cornelia Kober
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  2. Yoshihiko Hayakawa
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  3. Gero Kinzinger
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  4. Luigi Gallo
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  5. Mika Otonari-Yamamoto
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  6. Tsukasa Sano
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  7. Robert Alexander Sader
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cornelia Kober.

Additional information

This paper has been written on behalf of a publication request following Cars 2006 conference held in June 2006 in Osaka, Japan. The title of the talk at Cars 2006 conference was “An approach for three-dimensional rendering of the mandibular disc based on high-resolution MR images” authored by Kober C, Hayakawa Y, Kinzinger G, Yamamoto M, Sano T, Sader R, see Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2006 1(Suppl 1): 405–406. I apologize for the delay which was caused by very dense time schedule. In return, the article is a considerable extension of the work presented at Cars 2006.

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Kober, C., Hayakawa, Y., Kinzinger, G. et al. 3D-visualization of the temporomandibular joint with focus on the articular disc based on clinical T1-, T2-, and proton density weighted MR images. Int J CARS 2, 203–210 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-007-0130-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-007-0130-4

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