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Most of our cases were in the early stages of MRONJ, and the success rate after conservative treatment was high.

BackgroundThe main objective of our study was to identify oral symptoms and signs most likely to be associated with the exposure of necrotic bone in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).Material and MethodsThe study group consisted of 183 patients with BRONJ. We recorded data on the underlying disease, bisphosphonate used, location of osteonecrosis, symptoms, pain, fistula development, suppuration, infection, exposed necrotic bone, and BRONJ stage.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 68.22 ± 12.19 years. The sample included 118 (64.5%) women. Breast cancer and multiple myeloma were the most common underlying diseases, and 50 patients received oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. Dental extractions (69.4%) and mandibular location (74.3%) predominated. The only two variables influencing the possibility of necrotic bone exposure were intravenous bisphosphonate administration and the presence of an intraoral fistula (p >0.05).ConclusionsIntravenous bisphosphonate use and intraoral fistula presence were associated with a major predisposition to bone exposure in patients with BRONJ. Key words:Bisphosphonate, Osteonecrosis, Jaw.

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BackgroundWe determined whether serum levels of Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor κ B Ligand (RANKL), Osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the RANKL/OPG ratio could be useful biomarkers for the severity of oral lesions in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).Material and MethodsA case-control study in which Group 1 consisted of 41 patients with BRONJ due to intravenous bisphosphonates, and Group 2 consisted of 44 healthy control cases. The plasma levels of RANKL and OPG were analyzed by an ELISA assay. The OPG/RANKL ratio was also calculated. We determined if the mean serum values differed among the different stages of BRONJ. ResultsSerum levels of RANKL were lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p =0.01), and serum levels of OPG were higher in patients with BRONJ than in the controls (p =0.006). The ratio of RANKL/OPG was greater in the controls than in Group 1 (P >0.01). There were no significant differences in the serum levels of RANKL and OPG among the different stages of osteonecrosis (P > 0.05).ConclusionsSerum levels of RANKL and OPG, and the RANKL/OPG ratio were not valuable biomarkers for determining the severity of oral lesions in patients with BRONJ. Key words:Bisphosphonates, RANKL, OPG, Osteonecrosis.