title: Osteonecrosis of the mandibular condyle as a precursor to osteoarthrosis: a case report.
abstract: Osteonecrosis of the mandibular condyle is a rare condition characterized by a primary subchondral osseous breakdown of the condyle with secondary articular surface collapse. Despite these characteristics, it has proved to be difficult to diagnose. The present case of osteonecrosis of the mandibular condyle was initially diagnosed more than 2 years before. The diagnosis at that time was based on physical examination, plain film radiography, cone-beam computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and total body scintigraphy. The disease had progressed into severe osteoarthrosis at a 2-year follow-up using cone-beam computerized tomography. This report suggests that osteonecrosis may be a precursor of osteoarthrosis, and cone-beam computerized tomography may provide a sensitive radiographic technique for the diagnosis of osteonecrosis of mandibular condyle.
authors.affiliation: Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. kqkyfu@bjmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Kai-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: You-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhen-Kang
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xu-Chen
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002116:Calcitonin; D002117:Calcitriol