title: Positron-emission tomography imaging in the diagnosis of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of F-18 fluoride and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), and to test their suitability for assessing the severity of BRONJ.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with BRONJ were studied using F-18 fluoride and F-18 FDG PET. For analysis, 8 regions of interest (ROI) were defined in the jaws of each patient. Maximum count rates for each ROI in both PET examinations were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both studies, increased tracer enhancement was observed in regions with BRONJ. Uptake of fluoride significantly exceeded that of FDG. FDG uptake increased systematically, but not significantly, with increasing severity of BRONJ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  F-18 fluoride PET is a sensitive method for diagnosis of BRONJ. FDG PET could be useful for evaluation of the severity of BRONJ. Further studies are required to prove the specificity of the methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. frank.wilde@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinhoff
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frerich
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hemprich
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sabri
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kluge
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D007093:Imidazoles; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid