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Abstract Background Intraarticular corticosteroids (IACs) have been used to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis. However, prospective clinical studies with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and safety of a single IAC in the TMJ in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a clinical setting. Methods In this Norwegian prospective multicenter pilot study 15 patients with JIA (mostly persistent oligoarthritis or RF negative polyarthritis categories) and a clinically and MRI-verified diagnosis of TMJ arthritis were treated with IACs and followed for 2 years. Demographics, systemic medication, general disease activity and outcome measures were recorded including a pain-index score and maximal incisal opening (MIO). Inflammation and bone damage scores were assessed, using two recently published MRI scoring systems with masked radiological evaluation. Results Among the 15 patients, 13 received a single IAC (5 bilateral), and 2 repeated IACs once unilaterally. Thus, the total number of IACs was 22. Median age was 15 years and the majority had an age not thought of as critical regarding mandibular growth retardation due to steroid injection. During the 2-year observation period systemic medication with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including biologics was initiated or adjusted in 10/15 (67%) patients. At the 2-months study visit after injection we observed a minimal improvement in MIO from median 44 (1st, 3rd quartiles; 36, 48) mm to 45 (43, 47) mm, p = 0.045 and decreased MRI mean additive inflammatory score from 4.4 ± 1.8 standard deviations (SD) to 3.4 ± 2.0, p = 0.040. From baseline to the 2-months follow-up pain improved in 6/11 patients but pain scores were not significantly improved. MRI-assessed damage increased in two patients with repeated IACs, and decreased in 3 patients but most of the patients were stable over the 2-year follow-up. Intra-rater repeatability of the MRI scoring system domains varied from poor to excellent. Conclusions In this pilot study of predominately single IACs to the TMJ in combination with systemic treatment we observed improvement in MRI-assessed inflammation, mostly stable condylar bone conditions and minimal clinical improvement in adolescents with JIA and TMJ arthritis. No severe side effects were seen.

Abstract Background Arthritis involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complicates 40 - 96% of cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), potentially leading to devastating changes to form and function. Optimal evaluation and management of this joint remains a matter of ongoing discussion. Methods We performed a PubMed search for all articles with keywords “temporomandibular” and “arthritis”, covering the dates 2002 through February 28, 2018. A separate PubMed search was performed for all articles with keywords “temporomandibular joint”, “arthritis”, and “treatment” covering the same dates. Findings The TMJ is a particularly challenging joint to assess, both clinically and with imaging studies. Clinical assessment of the TMJ is hampered by the low sensitivity of joint pain as well as the absence of physical exam findings early in the disease process. As with all joints, plain radiography and computed tomography only detect arthritic sequelae. Additionally, there is mixed data on the sensitivity of ultrasound, leaving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the optimal diagnostic modality. However, several recent studies have shown that non-arthritic children can have subtle findings on MRI consistent with TMJ arthritis, such as joint effusion and contrast enhancement. Consequently, there has been an intense effort to identify features that can be used to differentiate mild TMJ arthritis from normal TMJs, such as the ratio of the enhancement within the TMJ itself compared to the enhancement in surrounding musculature. With respect to treatment of TMJ arthritis, there is minimal prospective data on medical therapy of this complicated joint. Retrospective studies have suggested that the response to medical therapy of the TMJ may lag behind that of other joints, prompting use of intraarticular (IA) therapy. Although most studies have shown short-term effectiveness of corticosteroids, the long-term safety of this therapy on local growth as well as on the development of IA heterotopic bone have prompted recommendations to limit use of IA corticosteroids. Severe TMJ disease from JIA can also be managed non-operatively with splints in a growing child, as well as with surgery. Conclusion In this review, we summarize literature on the diagnosis and management of TMJ arthritis in JIA and suggest a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for children with refractory TMJ arthritis.

Lyme arthritis caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is a common late manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. Current treatment recommendations include at least one oral or intravenous antibiotic course, followed by antirheumatic therapy in case of refractory arthritis. We reviewed the course of 31 children with Lyme arthritis who had received antibiotic treatment and assessed outcome and requirement of antirheumatic therapy. Of a total of 31 patients, 23 (74 %) showed complete resolution of arthritis after one or two courses of antibiotics, whereas in 8 patients (28 %), steroid injections had been performed due to relapsing or remaining symptoms. All of these 8 patients showed immediate resolution of symptoms after intraarticular steroid injections. Four of them (50 %) remained asymptomatic so far with a follow-up period between five up to 40 months. In two cases, multiple intraarticular corticosteroid injections were required; three patients received additional or consecutive treatment with systemic antirheumatic treatment. Patients with antibiotic refractory arthritis showed a higher rate of positivity of the IgG p58 and OspC immunoblot bands ( p = 0.05) at presentation. Antibodies against OspA, an indicator of later stage infection, occurred more frequently in the refractory group without reaching significant level. No clinical marker as indicator for severe or prolonged course of Lyme arthritis was identifiable. A quarter of childhood Lyme arthritis patients were refractory to antibiotics and required antirheumatic treatment. Intraarticular steroid injections in childhood Lyme arthritis refractory to antibiotics can lead to marked clinical improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the effect of corticosteroid injection in athletes. Subjects of the study were 10 healthy young male athletes, who received a single intra or periarticular injection of either cortivazol or betamethasone. Two days after corticosteroid administration, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 9 of the 10 subjects. It was concluded that some athletes are exposed to a high risk of trauma, which can lead to an acute adrenal crisis. They should be informed about the risk of adrenal insufficiency after an intra or periarticular corticosteroid injection.