Osteoradionecrosis Management With Low-Level Laser Therapy Support

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a side effect of radiotherapy given to treat mouth cancer. The association between decreasing bone repair and local trauma and/or infection facilitates ORNJ and may lead to mandibular fracture, resulting in morbidity. Man, 62, experienced extensive ORNJ with an extraoral active fistula. After bacterial cultivation in a bone fragment, the antibiotic chosen was ciprofloxacin. Treatment consisted of bone debridement, 808-nm low-level laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy with a 660-nm laser in the exposed intraoral bone and fistulous path. After a year, ORNJ was stable and caused no pain, but the risk of mandibular fracture remains. Since the healing process for extensive ORNJ is complex, a combination of techniques is employed to stabilize the lesion. Laser and photodynamic therapies are important tools complementing pre-existing therapies that can improve the patient's quality of life.

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics - January 21, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: MARIANA COMPAROTTO MINAMISAKO, LILIANE JANETE GRANDO, MARIA INÊS MEURER, YASMIN GUTERRES, THAÍSE CRISTINA GEREMIAS, CARLOS EDUARDO CHRZANOWSKI PEREIRA DE SOUZA, CARLA GIRARDI Tags: Online Only Articles Source Type: research