Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 67, Issue 5, Supplement , Pages 75-84, May 2009

Imaging Findings in Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws

  • Kevin Arce, DMD, MD

      Affiliations

    • Assistant Professor and Program Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Arce: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry, Mailcode SDOMS, 611 Southwest Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239
    • ,
  • Leon A. Assael, DMD

      Affiliations

    • Professor and Chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
    • ,
  • Jane L. Weissman, MD

      Affiliations

    • Professor and Director of Head and Neck Imaging, Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Ophthalmology, and Otolaryngology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
    • ,
  • Michael R. Markiewicz, DDS, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Resident in Training, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR

Purpose

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a well-described clinical condition with consistent radiographic findings. The purpose of this report was to review these findings in an attempt to offer important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information associated with BRONJ.

Materials and Methods

The findings of studies assessing the radiographic landmarks on plain films, intraoral films, orthopantograph, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear bone scans in patients with BRONJ were analyzed.

Results

The radiographic findings in patients with BRONJ include osteosclerosis, osteolysis, dense woven bone, a thickened lamina dura, subperiosteal bone deposition, and failure of postsurgical remodeling.

Conclusions

Consistent imaging findings are noted in the BRONJ patient. Imaging is an essential part of the clinical assessment of the BRONJ patient and might be an additional tool for tracking the progression of the disease.

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 Drs Arce, Weissman, and Markiewicz state no financial arrangement or affiliation with a corporate organization or a manufacturer of a product discussed in this article. Dr Assael is a paid consultant for Novartis and has received honoraria from Novartis and Merck.

PII: S0278-2391(08)01828-4

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2008.12.002

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 67, Issue 5, Supplement , Pages 75-84, May 2009

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