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Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck... Mar 2013Radiotherapy to the head and neck regions can result in serious consequences to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and chewing muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Radiotherapy to the head and neck regions can result in serious consequences to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and chewing muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates soft-tissue alterations after radiotherapy, such as morphology and signal intensity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to critically and systematically analyse the available evidence regarding the masticatory muscles alterations, as demonstrated on MRI, after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
DATA SOURCES
Electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM reviews and Scopus.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Reports of any study design investigating radiation-induced changes in masticatory muscles after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer were included.
RESULTS AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
An electronic database search resulted in 162 papers. Sixteen papers were initially selected as potentially relevant studies; however, only four papers satisfied all inclusion criteria. The included papers focused on the MRI appearance of masticatory muscles following radiotherapy protocol. Two papers reported outcome based on retrospective clinical and imaging records, whereas the remaining two papers were case reports. Irradiated muscles frequently show diffuse increase in T2 signal and post-gadolinium enhancement post-irradiation. Also, muscle size changes were reported based on subjective comparison with the contralateral side. The quality of all included papers was considered poor with high risk of bias.
CONCLUSION
There is no evidence that MRI interpretations indicate specific radiation-induced changes in masticatory muscles. There is a clear need for a cohort study comparing patients with pre- and post-radiotherapy MRI.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Masticatory Muscles; Temporomandibular Joint
PubMed: 23663414
DOI: 10.1186/1916-0216-42-26 -
Journal of Applied Oral Science :... 2012Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscle pain and dysfunction. Low-level laser is... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscle pain and dysfunction. Low-level laser is presented as an adjuvant therapeutic modality for the treatment of TMD, especially when the presence of inflammatory pain is suspected.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review studies that investigated the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the pain levels in individuals with TMD.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The databases Scopus, embase, ebsco and PubMed were reviewed from January/2003 to October/2010 with the following keywords: laser therapy, low-level laser therapy, temporomandibular joint disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome, temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular, facial pain and arthralgia, with the inclusion criteria for intervention studies in humans. exclusion criteria adopted were intervention studies in animals, studies that were not written in english, Spanish or Portuguese, theses, monographs, and abstracts presented in scientific events.
RESULTS
After a careful review, 14 studies fit the criteria for inclusion, of which, 12 used a placebo group. As for the protocol for laser application, the energy density used ranged from 0.9 to 105 J/cm², while the power density ranged from 9.8 to 500 mW. The number of sessions varied from 1 to 20 and the frequency of applications ranged from daily for 10 days to 1 time per week for 4 weeks. A reduction in pain levels was reported in 13 studies, with 9 of these occurring only in the experimental group, and 4 studies reporting pain relief for both the experimental group and for the placebo.
CONCLUSION
Most papers showed that LLLT seemed to be effective in reducing pain from TMD. However, the heterogeneity of the standardization regarding the parameters of laser calls for caution in interpretation of these results. Thus, it is necessary to conduct further research in order to obtain a consensus regarding the best application protocol for pain relief in patients with TMD.
Topics: Clinical Protocols; Facial Pain; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Pain Measurement; Radiation Dosage; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 23329239
DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572012000600002 -
The Angle Orthodontist Mar 2009To assess, by systematically reviewing the literature, the functional changes of the masticatory muscles associated with posterior crossbite in the primary and mixed... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess, by systematically reviewing the literature, the functional changes of the masticatory muscles associated with posterior crossbite in the primary and mixed dentition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature survey from the Medline database covering the period from January 1965 to February 2008 was performed. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and clinical trials that evaluated bite force, surface electromyography, and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were included. Two reviewers extracted the data independently and assessed the quality of the studies.
RESULTS
The search strategy resulted in 494 articles, of which 8 met the inclusion criteria. Children with posterior crossbite can have reduced bite force and asymmetrical muscle function during chewing or clenching, in which the anterior temporalis is more active and the masseter less active on the crossbite side than the noncrossbite side. Moreover, there is a significant association between posterior crossbite and TMD symptomatology.
CONCLUSION
The consequences of the functional changes for the growth and development of the stomatognathic system deserves further investigation.
Topics: Bite Force; Clinical Trials as Topic; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Dentition, Mixed; Electromyography; Humans; Malocclusion; Mastication; Masticatory Muscles; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Tooth, Deciduous
PubMed: 19216602
DOI: 10.2319/030708-137.1