Spontaneous Healing of Mandibular Noncontinuous Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Abstract

Background: Bisphosphonates are used throughout supportive cancer therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis and metastatic bone diseases, but they invariably induce medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This medicational modality may induce consequential losses that can lead to spontaneous or surgical therapy related bone fractures or defects. MRONJ stages and treatment alternatives are described in the current procedures. Accordingly, treatments for stages 0 and 1 are conservative whereas the treatment for stage 3 is surgical resection of the necrotic bone. Stage III MRONJ therapy is still controversial within the scope of conceivable bone fractures or defects. When the development of MRONJ is refractory to conventional treatment modalities, surgical management can be suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of MRONJ as part of a medical patient. Methods: A 72-year-old man was referred to our department for extensive pain of the left mandibular region that occurred after tooth extraction. It was identified in his medical history that he had received a nitrogen-containing intravenous bisphosphonate (Zometa; Novartis, East Hanover, NJ) therapy for prostate cancer. He had been administered 4 mg. IV Zolenat 9 times during the first year of therapy, followed by 2 doses of the same amount of Zolenat in the second year. Results: The treatment started with a therapy that combined antibiotics and antibacterial mouth rinse with chlorhexidine for maintaining oral hygiene. After the maturity of the sequestrum was identified through radiographic examination, the patient was treated by the segmental resection of the extensive necrotic bone, resulting in discontinuity of the mandibular corpus. Two years later, spontaneous bone healing occurred along the residual defect on the mandible. Conclusion: Treatment options for the defects resulting from MRONJ are still under debate, and no evidence-based guidelines are available. However, due to the results displayed in this patient; it may be a sound approach to closely follow up and observe MRONJ-related bone to prevent additional complications.