Imaging findings in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaws.
OBJECTIVE
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a well-described clinical condition with consistent radiographic findings. The purpose of this report was to review these findings in an attempt to offer important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information associated with BRONJ.


METHODS
The findings of studies assessing the radiographic landmarks on plain films, intraoral films, orthopantograph, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear bone scans in patients with BRONJ were analyzed.


RESULTS
The radiographic findings in patients with BRONJ include osteosclerosis, osteolysis, dense woven bone, a thickened lamina dura, subperiosteal bone deposition, and failure of postsurgical remodeling.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent imaging findings are noted in the BRONJ patient. Imaging is an essential part of the clinical assessment of the BRONJ patient and might be an additional tool for tracking the progression of the disease.
Arce
Kevin
K
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. 97239
Assael
Leon A
LA
Weissman
Jane L
JL
Markiewicz
Michael R
MR
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; C024226:technetium Tc 99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate