Osteomyelitis Of The Jaw: A Retrospective Analysis

There is a paucity of recent data regarding osteomyelitis of the jaw (OMJ).Patients with inflammation of the jaw from Jan. 2000Dec. 2005 at TJUH underwent retrospective chart review. Forty-two patients met the criteria for OMJ (37 definite, 5 probable). Mean age was 58 years. 78% were Caucasian. Most common risk factors associated with OMJ were tooth extraction, orofacial malignancy and radiotherapy, and bisphosphonates use. Most common symptoms were pain, exposed bone/plate and cheek swelling. Aerobic (GP 84%, GN 42%) and anaerobic (GP 53%, GN 27%) bacteria were identified. 34% of patients received > 4 weeks of IV antibiotics. Five patients achieved full recovery. Limited recovery was associated with orofacial malignancy and radiotherapy (p= 0.06). Bisphosphonates use and radiotherapy for orofacial malignancy have emerged as major risk factors associated with OMJ. Only orofacial malignancy and radiotherapy predicted limited recovery. Length of antibiotic therapy or HBOT did not predict treatment outcome. The article was previously presented in abstract/poster form only at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in San Diego, CA on October 6, 2007.