A case of pathological fracture secondary to osteomyelitis of the mandible

Abstract

We report a rare case of pathologic fracture resulting from osteomyelitis of the mandible. The patient, a 64-year-old male, came to us because of swelling of the mandible and presence of sequestrum with purulent discharge in the left molar region of the mandible. Radiograph showed a diffuse rarefaction (moth-eaten appearance) extending in the mandibular body. After sequestrectomy, pathologic fracture occurred in the left molar region. Antibiotic treatment was continued for five months, infection was controlled, osteomyelitis was healed and the fracture site was comlpletely united by bone without surgical intervention or rigid fixation.