Summary
The displacement of the articular disc (AD) constitutes an intracapsular arthropathy in which the disc is displaced from its functional relationship with the mandibular condyle and the articular portion of the temporal bone. It is frequently medial, anteromedial, or anterolateral, with posterior displacement being rare. The objective of this report was to describe the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a disc posterior displacement (PDD) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Case presentation: a 35-year-old male patient who reported on clinical examination, pain on lateral and posterior palpation in the left TMJ; mandibular deviation to the right side, difficulty in making lateral movements, and limitation of mouth opening were observed. Intraorally, cross bite was observed in the right canine area and wear facets in the upper canines and lower incisors. In closed mouth MRI sagittal views, the flattening of the DA, the location of the anterior band on the anterior aspect of the mandibular head, was verified in both joints, so that the rest of the disc was extended towards the posterior aspect, occupying part from the retrodiscal zone; in the coronal plane the position of the DA was closely related to the lateral and medial poles of condyle. Imaging characteristics were suggestive of PDD. Conclusions: PDD is a rare arthropathy of the TMJ, since MRI images accurately show the DA-condyle relationship, which enables its diagnosis and allows the clinician to make the best decisions for patient care.
KEY WORDS: temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular joint disorder, magnetic resonance imaging.
How to cite this article
AGUILAR, G.; HERNÁNDEZ-ANDARA, A.; ORTEGAPERTUZ, A. I. & QUEVEDO-PIÑA, M. Bilateral posterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint disc: evidence on magnetic resonance imaging. Int. J. Odontostomat., 15(1):111-118, 2021.
