Objective: the present study was performed to Comparison between Ultrasound guided versus conventional single needle arthrocentesis.
Material and Methods: Sixteen patients were selected for arthrocentesis. After arthrocentesis. patients were divided randomly into two groups, each comprised 8 patients: Group 1: arthrocentesis was performed through the conventional single puncture method. Group 2: arthrocentesis was conducted with the needle insertion guided with US. each patient were evaluated clinically at the following interval one week, two weeks, one month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively for: Pain, Maximum mouth opening, Right and left maximum excursive movements, TMJ clicking, and Tenderness of TMJ related muscles, and radiographically MRI were taken 6 months after arthrocentesis.
Results: US group was 1.13±0.35attempts for needle manipulation while conventional group was 2.75±0.46 attempts for needle manipulation. US group was 12.88±0.99 min in operative procedural time while conventional group was mean 18.75±1.58 min in operative procedural time. US group was successful in 100.0 % while conventional group was 62.5 % with 12.5 % liquid backflow to the needle, 12.5 % distension of the TMJ, and 12.5 %liquid outflow form ear. There was no statistically significant difference between degree of pain in the two groups.
Conclusion: Maximal mouth opening improved with conventional and US guided arthrocentesis. Successive increase in maximal mouth opening was observed during follow up periods. MRI findings indicated that there was no change in disc position even after improvement of mouth opening. US-guided technique significantly improved the accuracy of intra-articular injections, but not the outcomes of the injections.