Temporo-mandibular joint alterations in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and young-onset inflammatory arthropathies: a magnetic resonance imaging study with ultrasound comparison
Authors' conclusion
TMJs alterations were common across all three patient groups. Clinical examination showed limited association with MRI-detected morphological lesions.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric and young adult (<35 years) patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and non-JIA inflammatory arthropathies
- Participants
- 41 participants
- Exposure
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in pediatric JIA vs adult JIA vs adult non-JIA inflammatory arthropathies; Ultrasound (US) vs MRI in adults
- Pediatric JIAn = 14
- Adult JIAn = 19
- Adult non-JIAn = 8
- Outcome
- TMJ alterations (inflammation or structural damage) on MRI
Methodological detailsMRI with US comparison
- MRI with US comparison
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
MRI-detected TMJ joint damage
- Significantly greater joint damage in adults compared to pediatric patients
- Adults vs Pediatric JIA: P = 0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Clinical examination for detecting TMJ alterationsLow NPV | Clinical examination NPV 47.8% |
| US vs MRI (reference) in adults | US sensitivity 48% (95%CI 0.28-0.68) · specificity 73% (95%CI 0.47-0.99) |
- US vs MRI (reference) in adults: US performed in 18 out of the 27 adults
Tenderness on examination and MRI-detected joint damage (all patients)
- Tenderness significantly associated with MRI-detected joint damage
- P = 0.01
Retrognathia and MRI evidence of inflammation (all patients)
- Retrognathia associated with MRI evidence of inflammation
- P = 0.02
US vs MRI (reference) in adults
- Poor concordance between US and MRI
Original publication
Temporo-mandibular joint alterations in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and young-onset inflammatory arthropathies: a magnetic resonance imaging study with ultrasound comparison. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Published 30 April 2026. doi:10.
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