ABSTRACT-A group of 30 operative cases (32 sides) with TMJ disturbanc syndrome was included in the present study. The authors carried out a comparative study between radiographic, pathological and operative observations for these cases. Based on this study, we are confident that the nature of the organic destructive stage of the TMJ disturbance syndrome is essentially a secondary degenerative arthrosis, and that those cases showing transient PDS are probably functional and reversible; however. the indolent and deferred cases with internal derangement of TMJ actually belong to earlier manifestations of degenerative arthrosis.

Digital subtraction arthrography and arthrofluoroscpie dynamic observation were performed for seventy cases with TMJ dysfunction syndrome. A comparative study between the findings of digitsl subtraction arthrography and the operative findings was carried out for eleven cases who underwent surgery. It has been found that digital subtraction arthrograpfiy can overcome the disadvantages of conventional arthrography and has important diagnostic value for TMJ dysfunction syndrome, espe-cinlly for disc perforation, In addition, the procedure of digital subtraction arthrography, the normal and abnormal manifestations of digital subtraction arthrograms were described in the present study.

diagnosing pathological changes in intra-articular soft tissues, especially in the disc. Forty-five of these cases (45荡joints) were re-examined after a period of three months to five years During this time these cases had either received symptomatic treatment only or no treatment at all. The following observations were made at the follow-up examination: Cases with internal derangement of the TMJ showed various changes with time. Joints with antedor displacement of the disc. especially antenor desplace-merit with no reduction, in many cases developed communication between the supenor and interior joint cavities Some cases with no bony changes developed obvious degenerative changes while some cases with bony changes either became more serious or got beftter Either of the radiographic manifestations of bony changes in the condyle or communication between the superior and inferior joint cavities could occur first In some cases with communication between the superior and inferior cavities initially, bony plate of the condyle remained unaltered for months or even years

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To investigate the use of ethylcellulose microspheres as long-term and peripheral emboli for percutaneous maxillofacial arterial embolization. METHODS. Eight mongrel dogs were selected randomly for internal maxillary artery embolization with ethylcellulose microspheres. After embolization, angiographic, microangiographic, and histologic examinations were performed. RESULTS. Ethylcellulose microspheres were trapped in the peripheralarterioles from 24 hours to 6 months after embolization. Dcgenerative changes of maxilla, mandible, and dental pulp occurred after the embolization of the internal maxillary artery with the microspheres. No evidence of whole of focal necrosis of the bones and surrounding soft tissues was found between 24 hours and 6 months after embolization. CONCLUSION. Ethylcellulose microspheres can be used as an alternative long-term and peripheral embolic agent, with potential for percutaneous maxillofacial arterial embolization.