Clinical application of arthroscopy in the temporomandibular joint diseases.

The author presents the methodology and findings of a procedure for arthroscopic examination of the temporomandibular joint cavity by means of a method of puncture of the temporomandibular joint which he developed. The procedure was based on the temporomandibular joint puncture method and involved the tandem insertion of a puncture needle and sheathed needle into the joint cavity and examination of the cavity and cavity wall under perfusion of physiological saline solution. Color photographs of the findings are presented. The advantages by this method are as follows: 1) Direct observation of the cavity, 2) observation of the movement of the joint, 3) biopsy for histopathologic diagnosis, 4) still and cine photography of the findings. Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint is at present being applied clinically and is extremely effective in the diagnosis and selection of therapy. It will not doubt play an important role in the diagnosis of the diseases of the temporomandibular joint in the future.