Objective

  We report long-term follow-up of patients with intravenous bisphosphonate–related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

 Study Design

 Medical and dental histories, including type and duration of bisphosphonate treatment and comorbidities, were analyzed and compared with clinical course of 109 patients with BRONJ at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Dental Service.

 Results

 Median onset of BRONJ in months was 21 (zoledronic acid), 30 (pamidronate), and 36 (pamidronate plus zoledronic acid), with a significant difference between the pamidronate plus zoledronic acid and zoledronic acid groups (P = .01 Kruskal-Wallis). The median number of doses for BRONJ onset was significantly less with zoledronic acid (n = 18) than pamidronte plus zoledronic acid (n = 36 P = .001), but not pamidronate alone (n = 29). An association between diabetes (P = .05), decayed-missing-filled teeth (P = .02), and smoking (P = .03) and progression of BRONJ was identified through χ2 test.

 Conclusions

  This long-term follow-up of BRONJ cases enhances the literature and contributes to the knowledge of BRONJ clinical course.

 Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology

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