What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on the case of a 38-year-old woman with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and a pathologic fracture who was treated with hyperbaric oxygen and dental extractions.
What They Found
The patient, a 38-year-old woman, developed osteoradionecrosis with a subcondylar pathologic fracture and osteolysis 1.5 years after cancer treatment. Despite a second pathologic fracture occurring later, 6.5 years after initial treatment and 5.5 years after the last fracture, her fractures had healed, and she reported good esthetic and functional results.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This case suggests that a conservative approach using hyperbaric oxygen and dental extractions might be a viable alternative to extensive surgery for some Canadian patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and pathologic fractures. This could potentially reduce the need for more invasive procedures and improve long-term functional and esthetic outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a case report, the findings from this single patient cannot be generalized to a broader population.