Authors' Affiliations

Utsab Raj Panta, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Adam Chan, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Debalina Das, MD, MPH, Department of Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State university, Johnson City, TN.

Location

Mt Mitchell

Start Date

4-12-2019 9:00 AM

End Date

4-12-2019 2:30 PM

Poster Number

141

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Internal Medicine

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Debalina Das

Classification of First Author

Medical Resident or Clinical Fellow

Type

Poster: Competitive

Project's Category

Musculoskeletal System, Craniofacial Disorders, Infectious Diseases, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Oral Diseases, Skeletal Disease

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Introduction

First described in 2002, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ, or avascular necrosis of the jaw) is an uncommon but potentially serious side effect of treatment with bisphosphonates. Although typically identified in patients with multiple myeloma and other malignancies, a few cases have been reported in patients taking bisphosphonates - a potent drug class used in the treatment of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption issues, including postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease, multiple myeloma, and malignant hypercalcemia. The clinical diagnosis of ONJ can be obscured by jaw pain, abscess, swelling, and fistulas, but exposed bone is a distinctive sign. This reports a case of ONJ secondary to bisphosphonate use in a 65-year-old woman and clinical management complications.

Case Presentation

A 65-year-old lady with history of age-related osteoporosis and compression fractures on alendronate for 4 years, squamous cell carcinoma of neck status post excision and radiotherapy 11-years prior, Sjogren's syndrome and discoid lupus on hydroxychloroquine, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and multiple dental abscesses presents with persistent neck pain. Initial CT neck with contrast showed diffuse fat stranding. Subsequently, alendronate was discontinued due to jaw necrosis suspicion. Eight months later, repeat CT scan showed new non-mass-like soft tissue thickening in the subcutaneous fat abutting the right anterior mandible with mandibular teeth cavities and periapical lucencies, likely to be periodontal cellulitis versus radiation osteonecrosis. Later, patient complained of a piece of bone penetrating the skin of her chin and presented with continuous drainage from sinus tract in her mandible, which was diagnosed as osteonecrosis attributed to bisphosphonates, previous radiation therapy, and dental abscesses. Patient was started on abaloparatide, an osteo-anabolic medication for osteoporosis and enrolled in hyperbaric oxygen therapy which immensely helped in controlling sinus drainage. Patient is currently awaiting mandibular reconstruction surgery.

Discussion

ONJ, often associated with pain, swelling, exposed bone, local infection, and pathologic fracture of the jaw, is a rare complication of bisphosphonate therapy. Currently, no prospective data exists to advise the benefits of therapy discontinuation however most clinical practices tend to discontinue at least temporarily. The incidence increases with longer treatment duration, particularly when therapy exceeds four years. Risk factors for developing ONJ while taking bisphosphonates include IV administration, anticancer therapy, dose and duration of exposure, dental extractions/implants, glucocorticoids, smoking, diabetes, and preexisting dental disease.

Case reports and series suggest benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy in wound healing, pain, and quality of life at three months, however no significant differences exist with outcomes beyond three months. Patients being considered for therapy with a bisphosphonate should be thoroughly evaluated for dental issues, prior to initiating therapy. Conservative management with limited debridement, antibiotic therapy as needed, and topical mouth rinses rather than aggressive surgical resection are recommended. Conservative therapy may result in healing in a significant proportion of patients. Surgical resection of necrotic bone should be reserved for refractory or advanced cases. Providers should remain cautious while prescribing high doses of bisphosphonates in patients with increased risk factors to prevent, timely diagnose and treat this condition.

References

  1. Edwards BJ, Gounder M, McKoy JM, et al. Pharmacovigilance and reporting oversight in US FDA fast-track process: bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Lancet Oncol 2008; 9:1166.

  2. Khosla S, Burr D, Cauley J, et al. Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: report of a task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. J Bone Miner Res 2007; 22:1479.

  3. Hoff AO, Toth BB, Altundag K, et al. Frequency and risk factors associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates. J Bone Miner Res 2008; 23:826.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Apr 12th, 9:00 AM Apr 12th, 2:30 PM

Osteonecrosis of Jaw: Common etiologies, uncommon treatments

Mt Mitchell

Introduction

First described in 2002, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ, or avascular necrosis of the jaw) is an uncommon but potentially serious side effect of treatment with bisphosphonates. Although typically identified in patients with multiple myeloma and other malignancies, a few cases have been reported in patients taking bisphosphonates - a potent drug class used in the treatment of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption issues, including postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease, multiple myeloma, and malignant hypercalcemia. The clinical diagnosis of ONJ can be obscured by jaw pain, abscess, swelling, and fistulas, but exposed bone is a distinctive sign. This reports a case of ONJ secondary to bisphosphonate use in a 65-year-old woman and clinical management complications.

Case Presentation

A 65-year-old lady with history of age-related osteoporosis and compression fractures on alendronate for 4 years, squamous cell carcinoma of neck status post excision and radiotherapy 11-years prior, Sjogren's syndrome and discoid lupus on hydroxychloroquine, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and multiple dental abscesses presents with persistent neck pain. Initial CT neck with contrast showed diffuse fat stranding. Subsequently, alendronate was discontinued due to jaw necrosis suspicion. Eight months later, repeat CT scan showed new non-mass-like soft tissue thickening in the subcutaneous fat abutting the right anterior mandible with mandibular teeth cavities and periapical lucencies, likely to be periodontal cellulitis versus radiation osteonecrosis. Later, patient complained of a piece of bone penetrating the skin of her chin and presented with continuous drainage from sinus tract in her mandible, which was diagnosed as osteonecrosis attributed to bisphosphonates, previous radiation therapy, and dental abscesses. Patient was started on abaloparatide, an osteo-anabolic medication for osteoporosis and enrolled in hyperbaric oxygen therapy which immensely helped in controlling sinus drainage. Patient is currently awaiting mandibular reconstruction surgery.

Discussion

ONJ, often associated with pain, swelling, exposed bone, local infection, and pathologic fracture of the jaw, is a rare complication of bisphosphonate therapy. Currently, no prospective data exists to advise the benefits of therapy discontinuation however most clinical practices tend to discontinue at least temporarily. The incidence increases with longer treatment duration, particularly when therapy exceeds four years. Risk factors for developing ONJ while taking bisphosphonates include IV administration, anticancer therapy, dose and duration of exposure, dental extractions/implants, glucocorticoids, smoking, diabetes, and preexisting dental disease.

Case reports and series suggest benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy in wound healing, pain, and quality of life at three months, however no significant differences exist with outcomes beyond three months. Patients being considered for therapy with a bisphosphonate should be thoroughly evaluated for dental issues, prior to initiating therapy. Conservative management with limited debridement, antibiotic therapy as needed, and topical mouth rinses rather than aggressive surgical resection are recommended. Conservative therapy may result in healing in a significant proportion of patients. Surgical resection of necrotic bone should be reserved for refractory or advanced cases. Providers should remain cautious while prescribing high doses of bisphosphonates in patients with increased risk factors to prevent, timely diagnose and treat this condition.

References

  1. Edwards BJ, Gounder M, McKoy JM, et al. Pharmacovigilance and reporting oversight in US FDA fast-track process: bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Lancet Oncol 2008; 9:1166.

  2. Khosla S, Burr D, Cauley J, et al. Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: report of a task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. J Bone Miner Res 2007; 22:1479.

  3. Hoff AO, Toth BB, Altundag K, et al. Frequency and risk factors associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates. J Bone Miner Res 2008; 23:826.