First clinical experience with 3.0 T MRI of the human temporomandibular joint using a 4cm surface coil for examination in comparison to 1.5 T

Purpose: Imaging of TMJ with 1.5 T MRI using dedicated surface coils is already an established method for the diagnostics of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and degenerative joint disease (DJD). 3.0 T technology is expected to achieve an improved image quality, signal-to-noise-ratio, contrast and edge sharpness. Purpose of the study was to compare and to optimize the images with a dedicated 4cm surface coil on 3.0 T in comparison with a 3 inch surface coil on 1.5 T. Methods: In a prospective study 12 patients with TMJ pain were examined on 1.5 T MRI (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee) using an established 3-inch-su…