Viewing the internal structure of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and glenohumeral joint as they move provides insight into their function and possible pathology, but current 2D MRI techniques are limited in their ability to effectively capture joint movement.
"We wanted to be able to offer some insight into the structure of the TMJ, as well as its function in vivo," Won Bae, PhD, from the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla told AuntMinnie.com.
Bae and colleagues developed a 4D MRI technique for real-time visualization of the temporomandibular and glenohumeral joints as they moved. They found that the technique provided good-quality contrast -- comparable to that of standard MR images -- with the added advantage of visualizing the joints in motion.
"In the musculoskeletal system, MRI has historically had the disadvantage of imaging joints in a static position only," he said. "As this did not allow us to directly see how the joint functioned, 4D musculoskeletal MRI of the TMJ represents a paradigm shift that allows us not only to see inside the tissues but also to watch the tissue function."
