What Researchers Did
Researchers systematically reviewed existing literature to identify available treatments and their outcomes for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).
What They Found
The review analyzed 97 articles published between 2003 and 2014, covering 4879 cases of BRONJ. Patients had a mean age of 66.5 years, with a 1:2 male to female ratio, and used bisphosphonates for an average of 38.2 months. Minimally invasive surgical treatment was the most frequently used approach, alongside medical treatment and adjunctive therapies such as laser, growth factors, hyperbaric oxygen, and ozone.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing BRONJ, this review indicates that a range of treatment options are available, with minimally invasive surgery being a common approach. While hyperbaric oxygen therapy was mentioned as an adjunctive treatment, the study does not provide specific details on its effectiveness for BRONJ.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The review found considerable differences in study design, sample size, and treatment methods across the included articles, which made it difficult to compare treatment outcomes directly.