Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical presentation, risk factors, radiologic features, histopathologic and microbiological findings, treatment, and evolution of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BONJ).
Methods: This study made a retrospective review of 21 patients who underwent treatment and diagnosis of BONJ during 2004 to 2007 in a tertiary health care center reference for 1,100,000 inhabitants.
Results: The mean patient age at the time of presentation was 65.1 years. Of the 21 patients observed, 19 (90.4%) were receiving intravenous zoledronate. Of the 21 patients, 15 were treated with bisphosphonates for bone metastasis (71.4%), 5 for multiple myeloma (23.8%), and 1 for rheumatoid arthritis (4.7%). In 17 patients, the lesions occurred in the mandible. Fifteen patients had previous tooth extractions at the same site of bone necrosis.
Conclusion: In our series, most patients improved with conservative surgical debridement. Prospective clinical trials would enable clinicians to make accurate judgments about risk, treatment, and outcome for patients with BONJ.