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The Frequency of Communication Between the Synovial Compartments of the Equine Temporomandibular Joint: A Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomographic Assessment.
Abstract: There is conflicting evidence regarding communication between the two compartments of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Understanding the inter-relationship between TMJ compartments is critical for diagnostic and clinical management purposes. To determine the frequency of communication between the discotemporal joint (DTJ) and the discomandibular joint (DMJ) of the equine TMJ in horses free of overt disease. A randomized, blinded, controlled cadaveric study. Equine cadaver heads ( = 20), with no reported history of potential TMJ disease, were collected and stored frozen until use. Horses were randomized to the treatment group, such that Group A horses ( = 10) underwent arthrocentesis of the left DTJ and the right DMJ compartments, while Group B ( = 10) underwent arthrocentesis of the left DMJ and the right DTJ compartments of the TMJ, for a total of 40 joints. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was performed before, and after, intra-articular injection of contrast media in each head. Two observers, blinded to the treatment group, independently interpreted CT images. Communication between synovial compartments occurred in the left TMJ of two horses. Arthroscopic evaluation revealed that both horses had a perforation of the intra-articular disc in the region of the caudomedial fibrous expansion. Mild anterior displacement of the abnormal disc in the joint of one horse was demonstrated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sample size, the use of owner provided animals' history, and frozen specimens. No physiological communication was present between the DTJ and the DMJ in the equine TMJ of the cases studied, regardless of which compartment underwent arthrocentesis. Two joints had pathological communications. These results suggest that diagnostic, and medical, treatment of intra-articular disease may be most effective when both joint compartments are injected. Furthermore, this study illustrates the value of contrast enhancement while imaging the equine TMJ.
Copyright © 2021 Pimentel and Carmalt.
Publication Date: 2021-10-25 PubMed ID: 34760960PubMed Central: PMC8573115DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.753983Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Anatomy
- Arthrocentesis
- Cadaver
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Computed Tomography
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Intra-Articular Injection
- Joint Health
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Physiology
- Synovial Fluid
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research studied the connection between two compartments of a horse’s temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Using CT imaging, the study found minimal communication between these compartments and found that contrast enhancement is beneficial in imaging this area.
Objective
The main objective of the research was to understand the frequency of communication – or interaction – between two compartments of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ): the discotemporal joint (DTJ) and the discomandibular joint (DMJ). This understanding is critical as it aids in diagnosis and clinical procedures.
Methodology
- The study was performed on 20 equine cadaver heads, all without a history of any potential TMJ disease.
- The heads were randomly assigned to two groups. In Group A, arthrocentesis was performed on the left DTJ and the right DMJ. In Group B, the reverse was done.
- Arthrocentesis is a procedure where synovial fluid is collected from a joint capsule using a needle, for diagnostic purposes.
- Following this, an intra-articular injection of contrast media was administered in each head, and after that, Computed Tomography (CT) imaging took place.
- The CT images were analysed by two separate observers who were blinded to the treatment group of the horses.
Results
- Communication between the DTJ and DMJ was found in the left TMJ of only two horses. These two horses were found to have a perforation in the intra-articular disc.
- It was observed in one of these horses that the abnormal disc was slightly displaced to the front in the joint. This was observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- In all other cases, no physiological communication was observed between the DTJ and DMJ, irrespective of which compartment underwent arthrocentesis.
Conclusion
- The results show that in the absence of disease, there is minimal communication between the discotemporal joint and the discomandibular joint in a horse’s TMJ.
- Also, two joints showed signs of pathological communications, i.e., caused by disease as there were disc perforations.
- From the findings, the researchers indicated that for diagnosis and treatment to be most effective, both joint compartments should be injected.
- Finally, the value of using contrast enhancement in imaging the equine TMJ was demonstrated in this study.
Cite This Article
APA
Pimentel KL, Carmalt JL.
(2021).
The Frequency of Communication Between the Synovial Compartments of the Equine Temporomandibular Joint: A Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomographic Assessment.
Front Vet Sci, 8, 753983.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.753983 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- White SA, Canada NC, Carmalt JL, Schumacher J, Amitrano FN, Ortved K, Henry TJ, Brounts SH, Arnold CE. Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:898096.
- Carmalt JL, Pimentel KL. The Equine Temporomandibular Joint: Comparisons Between Standard and Needle Arthroscopic Examination of Cadaver Specimens and Standing Horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:876041.
- Jasiński T, Turek B, Kaczorowski M, Brehm W, Skierbiszewska K, Domino M. Equine temporomandibular joint diseases: A systematic review. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1427-1445.
- Kim CS, Reisbig NA, Carmalt JL. Contrast arthrography of the equine temporomandibular joint. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1368131.
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