Oral Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws - A case report -

Bisphosphonates are the most widely prescribed medications for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, bisphosphonate- related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is recently recog-nized as a serious complication among patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy. Most reports relate to BRONJ result from intravenous bisphosphonate or dental procedure. We report a case of mandible osteonecrosis related with oral bisphosphonate medication. A-63-year old woman suffered from toothache, cheek swelling and heating sense visited our dental clinic. She had taken oral alendronate and antihy-pertensive agents for 4 years because of osteoporosis and hypertension. Dental physical examination, radiologic study and pathologic study showed the severe inflammation and osteonecrosis of the mandible. Therefore we diagnosed the patient as having BRONJ and she stopped to take bispho-sphonate and received surgical treatment with bone curet-tage. After surgical treatment and stopping bisphosphonate, her symptoms were improved. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 599-602)Key Words: Osteoporosis, Bisphosphonate, Osteonecrosis서론