A comparison of the cone beam computed tomography findings in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws related to denosumab versus bisphosphonates: an observational pilot study

Sarina E.C. Pichardo, Frans W.Ten Broek, Marta Fiocco, Natasha M. Appelman-Dijkstra, J. P.Richard van Merkesteyn

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9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic abnormalities on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) related to denosumab use versus bisphosphonate use. Study Design: The study included 34 consecutive patients with MRONJ who had a history of exclusive use of denosumab (n = 17) or bisphosphonates (n = 17) and had undergone CBCT for determination of extent of disease. Demographic data of the patients were collected. Differences in radiologic characteristics between patients with denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (DRONJ) and those with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) were scored and studied on CBCT. Results: In patients with DRONJ, sequestra (P = .015) and lysis of the cortical border of the jaw (P = .033) were significantly less common than in patients with BRONJ. Subperiosteal bone formation did not differ between the groups (P = .545). There was no association between stage of disease and duration of drug therapy or duration of symptoms for either medication group. Conclusions: The radiologic features of DRONJ may be different from those of BRONJ with regard to the presence of sequestra and cortical lysis and might, therefore, be improperly diagnosed. Underestimation and undertreatment of DRONJ may potentially lead to progression of disease and, thus, make treatment more difficult.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)411-417
Number of pages7
JournalOral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Volume129
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

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