Correlation between MRI-diagnosed joint effusion and demographic, clinical, imaging, and arthroscopic findings of the temporomandibular joint.

Our study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in cases of joint effusion and documented its relationship with clinical and arthroscopic findings. A cross-sectional study was carried out, using the following selection criteria: clinical, radiological, and MRI-based diagnosis of joint pathology; joint pain; and indication for minimally invasive management with arthroscopy. Arthroscopic analysis, included synovitis, adhesions, chondromalacia, and disc perforations. These variables were recorded and compared with MRI findings of effusion. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. In total, 44 temporomandibular joints were studied, of which 38 corresponded to women; 21 cases were diagnosed as Wilkes IV-V, with effusion found in all of them. The presence of effusion was significantly related to synovitis (p = 0.031) and adherences (p = 0.042). Pain was significantly related to the presence of effusion (p = 0.002), Wilkes advanced stages (p = 0.006), synovitis (p = 0.031), and adherences (p = 0.004). Regarding maximum mouth opening, there was no significant correlation with the variables studied, aside from gender and Wilkes classification. There was a significant correlation between the presence of joint effusion detected by MRI and clinical and arthroscopic findings. This suggests that effusion diagnosed by magnetic resonance has a significant value. Therefore, an adequate presurgical examination should be considered before submitting the patient to an invasive diagnostic procedure.