Ninety-one osteoporosis patients affected with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a case series

Prevention and treatment of oral adverse effects of antiresorptive medications for osteoporosis - A position paper of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM), Brazilian Society of Stomatology and Oral Pathology (Sobep), and Brazilian Association for Bone Evaluation and Osteometabolism (Abrasso)

Antiresorptive therapy is the main form of prevention of osteoporotic or fragility fractures. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a relatively rare but severe adverse reaction to antiresorptive and antiangiogenic drugs. Physicians and dentists caring for patients taking these drugs and requiring invasive procedures face a difficult decision because of the potential risk of MRONJ. The aim of this study was to discuss the risk factors for the development of MRONJ and prevention of this complication in patients with osteoporosis taking antiresorptive drugs and requiring invasive dental treatment. For this goal, a task force with representatives from three professional associations was appointed to review the pertinent literature and discuss systemic and local risk factors, prevention of MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis, and management of established MRONJ. Although scarce evidence links the use of antiresorptive agents in the context of osteoporosis to the development of MRONJ, these agents are considered a risk factor for this complication. Despite the rare reports of MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis, the severity of symptoms and impact of MRONJ in the patients' quality of life make it imperative for health care professionals to consider this complication when planning invasive dental procedures.

Clinical profile of individuals with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: an integrative review

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is still the most prevalent type of osteonecrosis with clinical relevance. In Brazil, bisphosphonate use is high but there is a lack of epidemiological studies on BRONJ.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical profile of BRONJ in a Brazilian population through an integrative review.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Integrative review of BRONJ in a Brazilian population.

METHODS

Cases and clinical research on Brazilians with BRONJ between 2010 and 2019, indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS were reviewed. Age, sex, type and time of bisphosphonate intake, administration route, related diseases, region of the BRONJ, diagnostic criteria, staging, triggering factor and type of treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifteen articles on 128 subjects were included. Most patients were women (82.03%); the mean age was 63 years. Intravenous zoledronic acid was mostly used (62.50%), for breast cancer treatment (46.87%). The main localization of BRONJ was the mandible (54.68%), associated mainly with tooth extractions (45.98%). The diagnostic criteria were clinical (100%) and radiographic (89.06%), mostly in stage II (68.08%). The surgical treatments were sequestrectomy (37.50%) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (36.71%). Microbial control was done using chlorhexidine (93.75%) and infection control using clindamycin (53.90%).

CONCLUSIONS

BRONJ had higher prevalence in Brazilian women receiving treatment for breast cancer and osteoporosis. The mandible was the region most affected with a moderate stage of BRONJ, particularly when there were histories of tooth extraction and peri-implant surgery. Sequestrectomy with additional drugs and surgical therapy was the treatment most accomplished.

Knowledge and Attitude of Dentists Regarding Patients Undergoing Bisphosphonate Treatment: a Comparative Questionnaire

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an uncommon but serious complication related to oral and intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) therapy. Its pathogenesis is not well understood, and there are no universal protocols accepted to treat it.

The aim of our study was to use the same questionnaire as four years ago to evaluate the awareness of dentists in Tîrgu Mureș regarding the dental treatments that can be applied in patients on BP therapy, and to assess how their knowledge on the subject has evolved over these years.

Material and method: We used the same questionnaire-based study as four years ago among dentists in Tîrgu Mureș, raising important issues such as: is the patient asked about current or previous treatments with BPs, do they perform surgical treatment in these patients, do they know under what conditions they can perform this treatment, or do they deem it necessary to contact the prescriber before surgical treatment.

Results: One-hundred twenty questionnaires were returned. The majority of respondents (n = 113, 94.2%) included the question regarding the use of BPs in their medical records. Of all respondents, 48 (40%) perform dental or surgical treatments on patients undergoing BP therapy, 68 (56.7%) do not perform dental or surgical treatments on these patients, and four of the respondents (3.3%) did not know the answer. One hundred (83.3%) respondents always contact the prescriber prior to surgery in these patients, regardless of how BPs are administered.

Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, many of the respondent doctors have heard about BPs and their complications, but they are not aware of the fundamental concepts of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw prevention and treatment protocols. In the absence of appropriate protocols, the quality of life of these patients is compromised.

Pentoxifylline and tocopherol in the management of cancer patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: an observational retrospective study of initial case series

OBJECTIVE

Very few studies have evaluated the efficacy of pentoxifylline and tocopherol (PENT-E) in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), although some studies have shown the therapeutic and prophylactic benefit of PENT-E in the management of osteoradionecrosis. We report the outcomes of MRONJ managed with PENT-E in patients with metastatic bone disease or multiple myeloma.

STUDY DESIGN

Seven patients diagnosed with established cases of refractory MRONJ caused by antiresorptive medications for the management of metastatic bone tumors or multiple myeloma were administered PENT-E for a mean period of 16.8 months (range 3-48 months).

RESULTS

At the latest follow-up visit, all patients demonstrated relief of symptoms. There was radiographic evidence of new bone fill of prior radiolucent defect in all patients. Two patients had resolution of exposed bone, two patients had partial resolution, one patient had no change in exposed bone, and one patient with three sites of exposed bone before starting PENT-E had resolution in one site, partial resolution in another site, and no change in the third site. PENT-E was well tolerated in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case series demonstrated that PENT-E was well tolerated and may be an effective adjunct in the management of MRONJ.

Knowledge and attitudes of Brazilian dental students and dentists regarding bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dentists (DEN) and dental students (DS) about bisphosphonates (BP) and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

METHODS

A convenience sample of 104 DEN and 100 DS was randomly selected and invited to answer a questionnaire. The questionnaire was structured on the basis of the main information about BP and the risk factors associated with the development of BRONJ. The data obtained were analyzed by the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, considering significance of 5%.

RESULTS

Seventy-five (72.1%) DEN and 75 (75%) DS did not know the BP cited in the questionnaire (p < 0.0001), and their commercial brand names were not recognized by 88 (84.6%) DEN and 86 (86%) DS (p < 0.0001). In the same way, 62 (59.6%) DEN (p = 0.04) and 58 (58%) DS (p < 0.0001) did not recognize BRONJ as an oral side effect of BP or point out oral conditions that were not associated with the use of BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Practical initiatives, such as free lectures and workshops, must be taken to broaden the knowledge of DEN and DS about BP and thus contribute to the prevention of BRONJ.

Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws and Its Array of Manifestations

PURPOSE

Bisphosphonate (BP) therapy in the treatment of bone diseases and malignancy may induce a major side effect known as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). A particular view of this condition is reported in this case series investigating eight patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the BRONJ lesions concerning their aspects and progression. Also, identify if it is possible to predict the degree of severity in these cases.

METHODS

Patients were evaluated by their condition and systemic health. The lesions were evaluated in clinical and radiographic aspects. The patients were followed-up for 2 years.

RESULTS

The patients presented with specific peculiarities, and the BRONJ lesions varied in several characteristics. The BRONJ lesions ranged from simple to severe conditions, and the complicated cases presented with major pain, swelling, secondary infection and an extensive necrotic area, classified with high grade of severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients presented here confirm the existence of a relation between multiple features and BRONJ and to understand the whole process of aggravation, all systemic and local information have to be taken into account, together with all data related to the BP utilized. Regardless of the low incidence of this side effect in relation to osteoporosis treatment, in some cases, the BRONJ may become a severe condition and compromise the patient's quality of life.

Pedicled buccal fat pad flap as a reliable surgical strategy for the treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the coverage of the pedicled buccal fat pad flap (PBFP) and the long-term results of this treatment in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten patients (2 men and 8 women; average age, 72.9 yr old) diagnosed with MRONJ were selected. Patients were treated with a PBFP. Data from patients regarding MRONJ stage, defect size, bone exposure after surgery, operation time, admission period, duration of antibiotic therapy, recurrence of disease, and postoperative complications were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Six patients were diagnosed with MRONJ stage 2, and 4 patients were diagnosed with MRONJ stage 3. The maximum defect in the study was 62 × 18 mm. Among the 10 patients, there was only 1 bony exposure, which occurred on postoperative day 2 after receiving the PBFP. This exposure might have been due to an incomplete resection of the affected bone. There were no severe donor site morbidities, and all patients showed satisfactory healing without incident.

CONCLUSIONS

According to this evaluation, the PBFP effectively covered a relatively large surgical defect. Complications were minimal, and there was no recurrence of bony exposure during follow-up. In conclusion, using the PBFP was a reliable treatment option for the management of denuded bone in patients with MRONJ.

Alterations of mass density and 3D osteocyte lacunar properties in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrotic human jaw bone, a synchrotron µCT study

Osteonecrosis of the jaw, in association with bisphosphonates (BRONJ) used for treating osteoporosis or cancer, is a severe and most often irreversible side effect whose underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Osteocytes are involved in bone remodeling and mineralization where they orchestrate the delicate equilibrium between osteoclast and osteoblast activity and through the active process called osteocytic osteolysis. Here, we hypothesized that (i) changes of the mineralized tissue matrix play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of BRONJ, and (ii) the osteocyte lacunar morphology is altered in BRONJ. Synchrotron µCT with phase contrast is an appropriate tool for assessing both the 3D morphology of the osteocyte lacunae and the bone matrix mass density. Here, we used this technique to investigate the mass density distribution and 3D osteocyte lacunar properties at the sub-micrometer scale in human bone samples from the jaw, femur and tibia. First, we compared healthy human jaw bone to human tibia and femur in order to assess the specific differences and address potential explanations of why the jaw bone is exclusively targeted by the necrosis as a side effect of BP treatment. Second, we investigated the differences between BRONJ and control jaw bone samples to detect potential differences which could aid an improved understanding of the course of BRONJ. We found that the apparent mass density of jaw bone was significantly smaller compared to that of tibia, consistent with a higher bone turnover in the jaw bone. The variance of the lacunar volume distribution was significantly different depending on the anatomical site. The comparison between BRONJ and control jaw specimens revealed no significant increase in mineralization after BP. We found a significant decrease in osteocyte-lacunar density in the BRONJ group compared to the control jaw. Interestingly, the osteocyte-lacunar volume distribution was not altered after BP treatment.