Bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis: an unusual case

The role of antiresorptive drugs and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in nononcologic immunosuppressed patients: A systematic review

Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe condition affecting the jaws of patients exposed to specific drugs, and is primarily described in patients receiving bisphosphonate (BP) therapy. However, more recently it has been observed in patients taking other medications, such as the RANK ligand inhibitor (denosumab) and antiangiogenic drugs. It has been proposed that the existence of other concomitant medical conditions may increase the incidence of MRONJ. The primary aim of this research was to analyze all available evidence and evaluate the reported outcomes of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) due to antiresorptive drugs in immunosuppressed patients. A multi-database (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) systematic search was performed. The search generated twenty-seven studies eligible for the analysis. The total number of patients included in the analysis was two hundred and six. All patients were deemed to have some form of immunosuppression, with some patients having more than one disorder contributing to their immunosuppression. Within this cohort the commonest trigger for MRONJ was a dental extraction (n=197). MRONJ complications and recurrence after treatment was sparsely reported in the literature, however a total of fourteen cases were observed. The data reviewed have confirmed that an invasive procedure is the commonest trigger of MRONJ with relatively high frequency of post-operative complications or recurrence following management. However, due to low-quality research available in the literature it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion on the outcomes analysed in this systematic review.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) in Osteoporosis Patients: Report of Delayed Diagnosis of a Multisite Case and Commentary about Risks Coming from a Restricted ONJ Definition

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) in osteoporosis patients has been defined as rare, but the number of reported cases is increasing. We report a case of delayed ONJ diagnosis in a patient, who was being treated with alendronate, developing bone alterations both in maxilla and in mandible. Underestimation of ONJ incidence and missed or delayed ONJ diagnosis in osteoporosis patients might derive from lack of awareness of health providers as well as from an ONJ definition that is too restricted. The more recent definition of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) released in 2014 by the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) accept fistula, besides bone exposure, as a major sign of disease, but it seems to be insufficient since it excludes all cases of ONJ disease without bone exposure. A new MRONJ definition is needed to avoid missing or delayed diagnosis.

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws: A Low-Level Laser Therapy and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Case Approach

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) can be considered an inability of the alveolar bone to respond to an injury, which frequently leads to severe local and systemic complications. Once the problem is installed, dentist must use all therapeutic approaches recommended. This manuscript reports a successful management of MRONJ handled with antibiotics, conservative debridement, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) up to 12 months. As healing of MRONJ may be very slow, combined therapeutic approaches are required. Besides the recommended conventional treatment protocol, LLLT and PDT are important tools to contribute to healing and improvement of patient's quality of life.

The importance of a thorough medical and pharmacological history before dental implant placement

The risk of osteonecrosis in patients treated with bisphosphonates is well known and guidelines intended to prevent this complication have been established and accepted. Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a unique condition in which even past administration of medication may be of current and future relevance. We present a case of BRONJ in the maxilla after dental implant placement. The patient suffered from osteoporosis and had been treated with oral alendronate sodium in the past. However, the medication was stopped two years before implant placement, and the treating dentist was unaware of the patient's past bisphosphonate use. Prevention of BRONJ is based on identifying at-risk patients, and then avoiding or modifying dentoalveolar surgical procedures in these individuals. Nevertheless, there seems to be some difficulties identifying patients at risk. We present some of the challenges that impede thorough assessment of a patient's medical background (review of systems) in the dental office, and suggest possible solutions.

A case of autoimmune hepatitis and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease of unknown aetiology usually requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy. We present the case of an AIH patient who received long-term corticosteroids and azathioprine. As treatment for concomitant osteoporosis she was also treated with potent intravenous bisphosphonate (BP). This treatment was complicated by the development of BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). BRONJ is an uncommon complication of BP treatment regimes that occurs at increased frequency in the presence of other risk factors, including chronic inflammatory conditions. Our patient suffered from a severe and complicated clinical course of BRONJ which, despite adequate therapy, resulted in death of the patient. Here we discuss the risk factors for the development and clinical course of BRONJ in AIH and the implications for management of these patients.

Epidemiological aspects of rheumatoid arthritis patients affected by oral bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

This literature review aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that developed a bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis that affect the jaws (BRONJ), including demographic aspects, as well as clinical and therapeutic issues. A search of PUBMED/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from January 2003 to September 2011 was conducted with the objective of identifying publications that contained case reports regarding oral BRONJ in RA patients. Patients with RA who develop oral BRONJ are usually women above 60 years taking steroids and long-term alendronate. Most of them have osteoporosis, and lesions, triggered by dental procedures, are usually detected at stage II in the mandible. Although there is no accepted treatment protocol, these patients seem to have better outcomes with conservative approaches that include antibiotic therapy, chlorhexidine, and drug discontinuation.