A novel case of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the torus palatinus in a patient with metastatic breast cancer.
Bisphosphonates administered orally and intravenously are used for a variety of endocrine and oncologic indications. Long-term intravenous use of bisphosphonates has been shown to cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. We report a case in which a 58-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer received 18 doses of 4 mg intravenous zoledronic acid over a period of 16 months and developed a region of osteonecrosis on the posterior edge of a large, lobular torus palatinus. Torus palatinus, a type of maxillary exostosis, is common among postmenopausal women, and is vulnerable to blunt trauma that could predispose to osteonecrosis. Sequestrum of dead bone was removed and the site healed within 4 weeks. This case demonstrates that patients with a torus palatinus may be at high risk for osteonecrosis, and reinforces the need for good oral hygiene and frequent dental examination while receiving bisphosphonate therapy.
Breast Cancer Section, Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md 20889, USA.
Matthew L
ML
Goldman
Neelima
N
Denduluri
Arlene W
AW
Berman
Rebecca
R
Sausville
Jean-Pierre
JP
Guadagnini
David E
DE
Kleiner
Jaime S
JS
Brahim
Sandra M
SM
Swain
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005096:Exostoses / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D021362:Palate, Hard; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid