The Effects of systemic corticosteroid administration on temporamandibular joint

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of systemic high-dose and long-term use of corticosteroids on articular surfaces of condylar and temporal components of temporomandibular joint. 20 vister albino rats about 200-250 gr. and 20 albino guinea pig about 400- 500 gr. were used in this study. 10 mgr/kgr methylprednesolone sodium succinate was given to 14 rats and guinea pigs two times a day intraperitoneally and the same dose of saline was injected to 6 rats and guinea pigs as controls. The animals were killed on 10th., 20th., 30th. and 40th. days and the articular surface of temporal and condylar components were examined with scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications. As a result, it is observed that, systemic long term uses of corticosteroids at high doses can cause changes on thickness, connection and dispersion of collagen fibers on articular surface in both of the test groups. This effect is establisted to be more on condylar component and on guinea pigs, the pathological differences increasing directly proportional with the application days.