Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in the Absence of Antiresorptive or Antiangiogenic Exposure: A Series of 6 Cases

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 129 - 142
• Main Authors: Aghaloo, Tara L., Tetradis, Sotirios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Jaw - pathology; Jaw Diseases - diagnosis; Jaw Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Jaw Diseases - etiology; Jaw Diseases - pathology; Middle Aged; Osteonecrosis - diagnosis; Osteonecrosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteonecrosis - etiology; Osteonecrosis - pathology; Radiography
• ISSN: 0278-2391; 1531-5053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2016.07.019

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a well-described complication of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic medications. Although osteonecrosis can be associated with other inciting events and medications, such as trauma, infection, steroids, chemotherapy, and coagulation disorders, these are rarely reported in the literature. This is a six case series of MRONJ associated with medications other than antiresorptive or antiangiogenic drugs. Patient demographics, inciting event, location, stage, imaging findings, and outcome are reported. With the continued development and clinical use of new biologic medications for diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to continue to evaluate their effects on the oral cavity. The degree of risk for osteonecrosis in patients taking these new classes of drugs is uncertain but warrants awareness and monitoring.