Structural lesions of the TMJ in relation to Mycoplasma pneumonia infections.

AIMS: The presence of different types of bacteria in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is considered an etiological factor in TMJ pathologies. Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP), for instance, can be present in different joint pathologies. The aim of the present study is to correlate pathognomonic imaging of the TMJ in nuclear magnetic resonance with laboratory tests for MP.

METHODOLOGY: From an overall population of 300 patients with TMJ pathologies and without history of MP infections, 90 patients were studied through nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory tests for MP.

RESULTS: There was an actual correlation between imaging and laboratory studies, thus underlying the importance of anamnesis, image interpretation, and laboratory results in the diagnosis of TMJ pathologies.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the importance of imaging interpretation in TMJ pathologies and its correlation with MP laboratory tests.