2015 Volume 49 Issue 2 Pages 197-204
Refractory and atypical cases of osteomyelitis of the jaws are increasing with the emergence of resistant bacteria. Treatment of this condition can be agonizing. Here, we report a study conducted of 109 cases diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the jaws at the First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka Dental University Hospital during the past 10 years. The cases were classified as Type A (acute suppurative osteomyelitis), 5 cases ; Type B (chronic suppurative osteomyelitis), 76 cases ; and Type C (chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis), 28 cases. There were 58 males and 51 females, aged 25 to 88 years (median 61 years). The most common site of onset observed (95 cases) was the posterior mandible. In 54 cases, the most common cause was odontogenic infection. Radiographic findings revealed isolated sequestrum in 38 cases. A combination of surgical and conservative treatment with antimicrobial agents was the most common method of treatment. Penicillin was the antimicrobial agent most frequently used. Surgical treatment mainly consisted of sequestrectomy. Most of the cases made good progress and there were few relapses.
