Longitudinal MRI follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joint: Importance of synovial proliferation as an early-stage sign

Abstract

This article describes longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) observations in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. The characteristic findings included marked synovial proliferation, which was observed before the onset of severe bone destruction. MRI is considered to provide valuable information for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. © 2011 Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Springer.