Evaluation of a fast pseudo-cinematic method for magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint.

A pseudo-cinematic magnetic resonance imaging study of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was undertaken with the aim of reconciling image quality with the shortest possible examination time. Two receivers were compared, a surface coil and a circularly polarized head coil, and the latter was found to be superior. Using a gradient echo sequence, repetition time and flip angle were optimized by visual assessment of the images and by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio. A mechanical device was used to control opening and closing. The technique has been used on a series of 75 subjects, 60 of whom had TMJ dysfunction. Total acquisition time was 7 min. The results confirmed that it is possible to obtain pseudo-cinematic TMJ images suitable for clinical diagnosis by optimizing the choice of receiver and capture parameters.