Ultrasound-guided autologous blood injection in patients with chronic recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of ultrasound (US) guided autologous blood injection (ABI) for the treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Centre for medical education and research.

PARTICIPANTS OR ANIMALS SPECIMENS CADAVERS

Ninteen patients with chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation (Fifteen bilateral and fourteen unilateral).

INTERVENTIONS

Autologous blood injected, 2ml in superior joint space (SJS) and 1 ml in peri-capsular tissue (PT) under ultra sound guidance.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reduction in number of dislocation episodes, maximal mouth opening, pain (visual analogue scale) and TMJ sounds (present or absent) at the end of 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

At 2 weeks post operatively 18 patients (95%) were asymptomatic only one patient (5%) complained of Recurrence of dislocation and was treated successfully by a 2 injection. At subsequent follow up visits none reported dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

US guided ABI for patients with chronic recurrent TMJ dislocations serves as an alternative, minimally invasive, highly effective and accurate modality of treatment since it includes exposure without radiation, real-time visualization of soft tissues, visualization of the needle tip advancement, local anesthetic spread relevant to the surrounding structures which can be performed on an outpatient basis.