Treatment of radiation osteomyelitis of the mandible in a patient with acquired factor VIII inhibitor

A case of radiation osteomyelitis of mandible in a 56-year-old man with acquired factor VIII inhibitor is presented. He had undergone radiation therapy for malignant lymphoma of the tonsilar region seven years earlier, and also had received steroids to treat acquired factor VIII inhibitor for a year. On initial examination, he was given a diagnosis of phlegmon of the cheek caused by pericoronitis of the left lower wisdom tooth. To prevent the recurrence of inflammation, the wisdom tooth was extracted carefully, but radiation osteomyelitis occurred in association with a pathological fracture of the condylar head. After mini-pulse therapy with methylpredonisolone, segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction with a titanium metal plate were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory with no complications such as bleeding or infection.