Radiographic Patterns and Clinical Correlates of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ): A Retrospective Analysis

TL;DR

This study examines how panoramic radiographs can help identify and understand medication-related jaw bone disease in patients on antiresorptive therapy.

Contribution

The study identifies sequestration as a key radiographic indicator linked to treatment duration and biochemical risk in MRONJ.

Findings

Sequestration and cancellous bone loss were more common in the MRONJ group.

Sequestration was significantly associated with treatment duration over 3 years and intermediate CTX levels.

Lamina dura thickening and other radiographic features showed no significant differences between groups.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the radiographic characteristics of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) by digital panoramic radiographs and to investigate the associations between radiographic findings and clinical, demographic, and treatment-related variables in patients receiving antiresorptive therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 55 patients receiving antiresorptive therapy, categorized into a tooth-extraction group (n = 20) and an MRONJ group (n = 35). Standardized panoramic radiographs obtained at baseline (T0) and during the 6-month follow-up (T1) were evaluated for lamina dura thickness, trabecular bone alteration, osteosclerosis, cancellous bone loss, sequestration, and periosteal response. Statistical analyses were conducted on associations involving drug type, administration route, therapy duration, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, gender, and serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) levels. Results: The incidence of sequestrum development and cancellous bone loss was considerably higher in the MRONJ group. Sequestration demonstrated significant associations with both the duration of antiresorptive therapy (>3 years) and intermediate-risk CTX levels. No significant correlations were found between CTX and other radiographic parameters. Lamina dura thickening, trabecular alterations, osteosclerosis, and periosteal reaction exhibited no differences across groups or in relation to smoking, diabetes, age, or gender; periosteal reaction was an uncommon and variable finding. Conclusions: Panoramic radiography provides clinically useful information in the evaluation of MRONJ, particularly for identifying sequestration and cancellous bone degradation. The formation of sequestrum appears to be the most indicative radiographic indicator, representing both the duration of treatment and biochemical risk.

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