Journal of Disability and Oral Health
- Cover Date:
- March 2010
- Print ISSN:
- 1470-8558
- Vol:
- 11
- Issue:
- 1
Osteoradionecrosis - a review of prevention and management
It has long been recognised that patients who receive radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck area are at risk of developing osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws. Guidelines to reduce risk have been written, based upon the evidence of many studies which have looked at the incidence of ORN in different groups. Much of the research was carried out over 20 years ago and more recent analysis of data and consideration of the changes in radiotherapy raises the question as to whether modifications to the guidance is now needed. There is a wide variation in recommendations and a simpler, more unified approach to prevention of ORN could be developed as well as research on recent management techniques. Clinical relevance: ORN is a serious condition which can adversely affect quality of life and treatment outcome of patients who have already suffered the trauma of oral cancer. Features include chronic exposed bone which fails to heal, pain, fractures and fistulae. The incidence is decreasing, probably as a result of improved radiotherapy techniques. The general dental practitioner may play the greatest role in prevention with regular oral health care.
Key words: Radiotherapy, osteoradionecrosis
- Article Price
- £15.00
- Institution Article Price
- £
- Page Start
- 3
- Page End
- 9
- Authors
- M Burke, M Fenlon
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- Title
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- Establishing a procedure for managing poor standards of oral care in vulnerable and dependent adults
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