title: Surgical management of pathologic mandibular fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this article was to present our experience in the management of pathologic mandibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective analysis of 14 patients with pathologic mandibular fractures associated with osteoradionecrosis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, benign/malignant lesions, osteomyelitis, idiopathic, or iatrogenic etiology. Data collected included age, sex, etiology, site, treatment, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients had iatrogenic fractures, 3 patients had osteomyelitis, 2 had benign cystic lesion, and the remaining 4 had primary squamous cell carcinoma, histiocytosis, multiple myeloma, and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, respectively. Eleven fractures of 14 were treated using a 2.4-mm mandibular plate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pathologic mandibular fractures may be challenging to treat because of their different etiology and peculiar local and general conditions, often requiring a more rigid fixation. In patients with poor medical conditions, simpler and more limited options may be preferred.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. paolo.boffano@gmail.com
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffano
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roccia
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallesio
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garzino-Demo
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramieri
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome