Diagnostic Properties of RDC/TMD Criteria for TMJ Internal Derangement versus MRI Gold Standard
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.
KEYWORDS: Internal Derangement of TMJ; MRI; RDC/TMD.
What is already Known?
Internal Derangement of Temporomandibular joint is a recurrent problem in the pre-auricular region. Often misdiagnosed and leads to mistreatment. Contemporary literature shows that Research Diagnostic criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) are commonly used among the physicians for the diagnosis of the same problem.
What’s New?
The results of this study suggest that RDC/TMD criteria for internal derangement alone are not sufficient, and it may be supplemented by the use of MRI so that a proper treatment protocol can be generated for the patient.