What Researchers Did
Researchers treated 9 patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible between 1975 and 1994.
What They Found
Nine patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible were treated over a 19-year period. All had received high-dose radiation, and in 6 patients, the complication was triggered by surgical interventions or infection. Conservative treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen for 2 cases, were employed.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancers should prioritize dental health and discuss preventive strategies with their care team. Careful management of dental extractions and infections before and after radiation is essential to reduce the risk of osteoradionecrosis.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's main limitation is its very small sample size of only 9 patients, which limits generalizability.