The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of frequency-selective fat saturation (FS) T2-weighted images (T2WI) for the detection of bone marrow edema in the mandibular condyle. MR evidence of bone marrow abnormalities was examined on the set of FS T2WI and conventional T1WI or of conventional T2WI and T1WI in 200 patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) related pain. Other parameters studied were TMJ effusion, disk displacement categories, and cortical bone abnormalities. The detection rate and area of bone marrow edema by FS T2WI and T1WI were significantly greater than those assessed by conventional T2WI and T1WI. The correlation between bone marrow abnormalities on FS T2WI and T1WI and pain was significantly stronger than with conventional T2WI and T1WI. This study confirms that FS T2WI is useful for the detection of the "edema pattern" in the mandibular condylar associated with TMJ-related pain.