We evaluated changes in the articular cavity caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrography. First, the synovial membrane surface anterior to the normal inferior articular cavity of the rabbit TMJ was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Next, the inferior articular cavity was perfused with physiological saline solution and iohexol (Omnipaque
®300) as contrast medium by a puncture procedure established in this study, and changes in the synovial surface anterior to the inferior articular cavity were observed by SEM.
1. The normal synovial membrane was covered with spherical cells and had an uneven surface. The synovial membrane on the mandibular condyle side was flat, while that on the articular disc side showed wavy synovial folds. The cells lining the synovial membrane could be classified according to the developmental state of cytoplasmic processes into two types. These lining cells were not bound to eath other and were separated by intercellular spaces, which contained an irregularly arranged microfibriform substance.
2. Perfusion with physiological saline resulted in no changes in the structure of the synovial surface or the morphology of the lining cells.
3. After perfusion with the contrast medium, some lining cells were damaged, detached, and exfoliated, and necrotic tissue adhered to the synovial surface. After 3 days, a trend toword repair and a decrease in the attached tissue were observed. After 7 days, the membrane surface was recovered to normal.
These results suggest that TMJ arthrography causes detachment and exfoliation of a limited number of synovial cells due to invasion associated with puncture and the contrast medium, but recovery and healing are rapid. Therefore, this examination procedure is useful and does not cause intra-articular injuries when perfomed properly.
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