Incidence of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone

Abstract

The incidence of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone was 8.5% (95% confidence interval = 3.6-13.4%). Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone can present in excess of 10 years after treatment completion. This result may actually under -represent the true incidence of the complication. It has significant morbidity associated with its development and, occasionally, mortality. Those people undergoing radiotherapy to the parotid region may be at higher risk of osteoradionecrosis. A new classification system for osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone has been proposed.

Osteoradionecrosis beyond the jaws: a mini case series and review of the literature

“…Temporal bone ORN was first documented in 1952 by Block et al . It is reported to affect 8.5% of patients receiving radiation near the temporal bone within 10 years. More recently, there are a growing number of case reports and case series documenting TB‐ORN.…”

Pentoxifylline‐tocopherol‐clodronate combination: A novel treatment for osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone

“…ORN is a severe, late complication of head and neck radiation affecting 5% to 22% of patients and most commonly involves the mandible . A recent report demonstrated that 8.5% of patients receiving radiation near the temporal bone developed ORN of the temporal bone within 10 years of radiotherapy . Increased risk of ORN is associated with factors such as bone proximity to tumor/treatment site, presence of dental disease (for mandibular ORN), and increased radiation dose .…”

CT Findings in Temporal Bone Osteoradionecrosis

“…Many of these patients were managed surgically, including mastoidectomy and petrosectomy in order to remove as much of the dead bone as possible. 7,13 …”

“…Despite an incidence of up to 12.5% in a recent study of patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy for parotid tumors and 8.5% in another cohort who had undergone postoperative radiotherapy to the temporal bone for a variety of head and neck cancers, no large case series describing the computed tomography scan (CT) findings of temporal bone osteoradionecrosis (TB-ORN) exists 12,13 . We feel it is important for the radiologist to be aware of these findings when evaluating patients with a history of radiation therapy to the head and neck that present with new clinical findings.…”