Diagnostic Properties of RDC/TMD Criteria for TMJ Internal Derangement
versus MRI Gold Standard.
Abstract
Objective: To correlate the clinical RDC/TMD findings with Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic aid in the internal derangement
of TMJ. Methods: The present study consists of a total sample size of 14
subjects clinically diagnosed with the internal derangement of TMJ.
According to the set criteria by Research Diagnostic Criteria for
Temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD), the subjects were subjected to
MRI after a thorough evaluation. The diagnostic findings were compared
with MRI. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the
specificity, sensitivity, and kappa coefficient. Results: Twenty-five
percent of sensitivity and fifty-seven percent of specificity were
observed for RDC/TMD diagnosis regarding MRI in the total sample. Kappa
value was found to be in the moderate range. Conclusion: The clinical
findings based on RDC/TMD alone were not sufficient for the diagnosis of
TMJ, and MRI’s internal derangement still a “golden standard” among
the other modalities.