Anatomical and functional imaging of osteonecrosis of the jaw, a devastating problem of oncologic patients following bisphosphonate therapy.

1267 Objectives To review the causes of osteonecrosis of the jaw. To review the radiological and nuclear medicine methods to diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw. To review weather 18F FDG PET/CT has a potential role in early diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw to prevent its complication Methods Extensive literature search for articles related to osteonecrosis of the jaw and anatomical imaging of this disease including CT and Xray as well as functional imaging of this disease including conventional gamma imaging including 99mTc-MDP bone scan and positron imaging including 18F FDG/PET and 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET/CT. Additionally a case osteonecrosis of the jaw will be reviwed. Results 1. Brief review of the etiologies that can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw and periosteal damage and necrosis of the maxillofacial bones. 2. Discuss the role of bisphosphonates therapy in patient with cancer resulting in decreasing bone turnover, hypercalcemia, bone pain and skeletal complications such as fractures in patients with metastatic lytic lesions 3. Discuss the current anatomical and functional imaging methods that are available to diagnose osteonecrosis and the role functional imaging Including CT, Xray and 99mTc-MDP bone scan, positron imaging including 18F FDG/PET and 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET/CT. Conclusions After this presentation, participants will appreciate that: Functional imaging is a accurate methods to diagnose osteonecrosis of the jaw which is estimated that about 30% of patients are often under-diagnosed and under-treated. 18F FDG PET/CT is an excellent modality to early diagnose osteonecrosis of the jaw to prevent devastating complication of this disease. RESEARCH SUPPORT: n/a