Wojciech Macek

Dr. Wojciech Macek

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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WMWojciech Macek
Wojciech Macek
Maciej ChęcińskiMaciej Chęciński
Maciej Chęciński
KGKarolina Grzybowska-Kowalczyk
Karolina Grzybowska-Kowalczyk
MKMaja Kosinska
Maja Kosinska
AHAmelia Hoppe
Amelia Hoppe
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Background/Objectives: Intra-articular injections are used for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) resistant to conservative treatment. However, many reviews assess injectable agents combined with arthrocentesis or other co-interventions, limiting interpretation of their standalone effects. This overview aimed to summarize meta-analytic evidence on standalone intra-articular injections for temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods: MEDLINE, BASE, and Europe PMC were searched on 29 March 2026. Systematic reviews with quantitative meta-analyses evaluating standalone intra-articular TMJ injections were included. Data regarding injectable substances, clinical indications, and outcome domains were extracted and synthesized descriptively. Results: Three systematic reviews with meta-analyses were included. The evidence addressed platelet-rich plasma, corticosteroids, sodium hyaluronate, and physiological saline. Reported indications included degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, internal derangement, and arthritis. All included agents were reported to be associated with pain reduction. Conclusions: Meta-analytic evidence on standalone intra-articular injections for TMDs remains limited and heterogeneous. Available data suggest potential benefits, mainly for pain reduction, but do not establish clear superiority of any agent. The potential therapeutic activity of physiological saline should be considered when designing future injection trials.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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THTomasz Horodniczy
Tomasz Horodniczy
KKKlaudia Kwiatkowska
Klaudia Kwiatkowska
KCKamila Chęcińska
Kamila Chęcińska
Maciej ChęcińskiMaciej Chęciński
Maciej Chęciński
KGKarolina Grzybowska-Kowalczyk
Karolina Grzybowska-Kowalczyk
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Background/Objectives: Ultrasound is increasingly used to guide minimally invasive interventions for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders because it enables real-time visualization of the joint, surrounding tissues, and needle position. This scoping review aimed to map and characterize the available evidence on ultrasound-guided minimally invasive interventions for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Methods: The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework (osf.io/r42m5). PubMed/MEDLINE, BASE, and Europe PMC were searched up to 4 April 2026. Original clinical and technical studies evaluating ultrasound-guided minimally invasive interventions for TMDs were included. Results: Seventeen studies published between 2012 and 2026 met the eligibility criteria. Ultrasound guidance was used mainly for intra-articular injections, arthrocentesis, and botulinum toxin injections into the lateral pterygoid muscle. Most studies reported reductions in pain and improvements in jaw function. Compared with conventional approaches, several included studies reported more accurate needle placement, fewer insertion attempts, less need for needle repositioning, and shorter procedure times when ultrasound guidance was used. However, these procedural advantages did not consistently translate into superior long-term clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Overall, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive TMJ interventions appear feasible and generally safe, with their main benefit being improved visualization and procedural precision. Further standardized, high-quality studies are needed to clarify their clinical impact.

13 April 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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WMWojciech Macek
Wojciech Macek
Maciej ChęcińskiMaciej Chęciński
Maciej Chęciński
AHAmelia Hoppe
Amelia Hoppe
KCKamila Chęcińska
Kamila Chęcińska
KKKlaudia Kwiatkowska
Klaudia Kwiatkowska
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Objectives: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are an increasingly common problem affecting patients. This systematic review aimed to analyze the available literature regarding the effectiveness of intra-articular ozone gas injections and their effects on pain reduction and jaw mobility. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, PubMed, and references were searched (October 2025). Randomized controlled trials evaluating intra-TMJ gas injection compared to other intra-articular administration were included in the review. Analyses were performed both within and between groups. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: Five studies out of 180, including a total of 230 patients, were included in the review. The studies reported using ozone at concentrations of 10–30 μg/mL. All included studies reported reductions in pain and improvements in mandibular mobility after treatment. In some comparisons, ozone-based interventions showed more favorable outcomes than control interventions; however, the findings were not consistent across outcomes, and the certainty of evidence was limited. Conclusions: Current evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of intra-articular ozone injections for TMJ disorders. Some studies suggest possible short-term benefits in pain reduction and jaw mobility; however, the evidence is limited by high risk of bias, heterogeneity in treatment protocols, and very low certainty, particularly for longer-term outcomes. More rigorous and standardized randomized trials are required.

29 August 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
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JKJulia Kasprzycka
Julia Kasprzycka
Maciej ChęcińskiMaciej Chęciński
Maciej Chęciński
JWJustyna Wilk
Justyna Wilk
WMWojciech Macek
Wojciech Macek
MKMaja Kosinska
Maja Kosinska
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mobility disorders encompass opposing clinical problems, ranging from hypermobility, subluxation, and recurrent dislocation to restricted mandibular mobility caused by disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). Dextrose-based injections have been investigated in both settings, although their therapeutic objectives may differ. This scoping review mapped the clinical indications, injection protocols, outcomes, safety findings, and evidence gaps. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Europe PMC, and BASE were searched from inception through 14 June 2026. Study selection and data charting were conducted independently by two reviewers, and primary studies underwent design-specific JBI appraisal. Results: Eighteen reports were included: 14 reports describing 13 primary clinical studies (two reports were companion publications from the same randomized pilot cohort) and four systematic reviews used for evidence mapping. Among the primary studies, twelve addressed excessive TMJ mobility, and one evaluated DDwoR with limited mouth opening. In hypermobility and recurrent dislocation, within-group reductions in pain, excessive mouth opening, and recurrence were commonly reported, but superiority over placebo or active comparators was inconsistent. In DDwoR, 5% dextrose was associated with improvements in pain, mouth opening, and chewing function, although the evidence was limited by the small sample. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Substantial heterogeneity precluded quantitative synthesis and prevented identification of an optimal protocol. Indication-specific, adequately powered randomized trials with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up are required.

4 August 2026 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
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ZBZuzanna Baniak
Zuzanna Baniak
Maciej ChęcińskiMaciej Chęciński
Maciej Chęciński
WMWojciech Macek
Wojciech Macek
MKMaja Kosinska
Maja Kosinska
AHAmelia Hoppe
Amelia Hoppe
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Immune-mediated temporomandibular joint disorders involve cytokine-driven inflammation and may represent a target for biologic therapy. This paper summarizes the evidence on intra-articular monoclonal antibody administration in temporomandibular joint disorders. PubMed, Europe PMC, and BASE were searched from inception to 7 April 2026 for clinical and preclinical studies evaluating intra-articular monoclonal antibodies in the temporomandibular joint. Four studies were identified: two retrospective clinical studies, one case report, and one preclinical study. All four studies investigated local TNF-α blockade: the three clinical studies used infliximab, whereas the preclinical study used an anti-rabbit TNF-α monoclonal antibody. Symptomatic benefit was confined to one adult case and anti-inflammatory effects to the preclinical study, whereas pediatric MRI abnormalities persisted or worsened, providing no evidence of structural efficacy. The evidence remains limited, heterogeneous, and exploratory. Intra-articular monoclonal antibody therapy is biologically plausible, but its clinical efficacy and safety require further investigation.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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RNRafal Nowak
Rafal Nowak
FBFilip Bliźniak
Filip Bliźniak
KLKarolina Lubecka
Karolina Lubecka
JWJoanna Wołoszyn
Joanna Wołoszyn
MKMateusz Kęska
Mateusz Kęska
Maciej SikoraMaciej Sikora
Maciej Sikora
Background/Objectives: Nasal septal deviation (NSD) is a common anatomical condition that may influence nasal airflow and has been proposed as a potential factor associated with craniofacial growth and morphology. However, available studies use heterogeneous classifications and measurement methods, including the Mladina classification, angular parameters, volumetric assessment, CT, CBCT, and cephalometric analyses. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the available evidence on the relationship between NSD classifications, including the Mladina system, and craniofacial morphological correlates. Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework. A broad literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, BASE, and Google Scholar, without restrictions on publication date or language. Eligible studies included clinical or academic investigations assessing NSD using a defined classification or quantitative parameters and relating it to craniofacial, maxillary, mandibular, dentofacial, or asymmetry-related outcomes. Results: From 715 identified records, 387 remained after deduplication, and 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies varied substantially in sample size, imaging modality, NSD assessment method, and outcome domains. The most consistent findings suggested associations between NSD and localized or transverse nasomaxillary changes, particularly involving the palate, maxilla, nasal floor, and dentoalveolar region. Evidence regarding global facial asymmetry, basic maxillomandibular dimensions, and malocclusion was limited and inconsistent. Studies using the Mladina classification did not provide uniform conclusions across outcome domains. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support NSD as a uniform marker of global craniofacial morphology abnormalities. NSD appears more plausibly associated with selected local and transverse nasomaxillary features than with overall facial asymmetry. Future studies should combine standardized NSD classifications, especially the Mladina system, with precise three-dimensional craniofacial assessment in homogeneous populations.