Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine temporomandibular joint anatomy.

This research explored the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for examining the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in horses, with the goal of improving diagnostic methods and enhancing understanding of equine TMJ structure.

Objective and Methodology

• The main objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of the normal sectional MRI anatomy of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ), while also determining the most effective techniques and sequences to visualise various parts of this joint in horses.
• For this purpose, temporomandibular joints from six cadavers of Spanish Purebred horses (four immature and two mature) were subjected to MRI examinations.
• Various MRI sequences – Spin-echo T1-weighting (SE T1W), T2*W, fat-suppressed (FS) proton density-weighting (PDW) and fast spin-echo T2-weighting (FSE T2W) – were utilized in different planes: oblique sagittal, transverse, and dorsal.
• To ensure accurate interpretation, anatomical sections were also procured on the same planes.

Findings

• The research found that the oblique sagittal and transverse planes provided the most informative anatomical perspectives.
• In terms of imaging sequences, SE T1W images showed excellent spatial resolution and presented superior anatomic detail compared to other techniques.
• FSE T2W sequence offered an acceptable anatomical depiction. However, T2*W and fat-suppressed PDW displayed higher contrast in visualising various components such as the disc, synovial fluid, synovial pouches, and articular cartilage.

Conclusions and Implications

• According to the research conclusions, the SE T1W sequence in oblique sagittal and transverse plane should be used as the baseline for identifying anatomy.
• The T2*W and fat-suppressed PDW sequences meanwhile, should be utilized for studying the articular cartilage and synovial pouches, as they proved more effective than FSE T2W.
• This research provides valuable insights that could help clinicians interpret MRI images of equine TMJ more accurately, facilitating early diagnosis of problems that might not be detectable using other methods.