Non-exposed variant of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) with a plasmacytoma: A rare case report

• Main Authors: Arvind Muthukrishnan, Gowri Shankar Sekar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology
• Subjects: Bisphosphonates; osteonecrosis; jaw; plasmacytoma; second primary tumor; Zolendronate
• Online Access: http://www.jiaomr.in/article.asp?issn=0972-1363;year=2015;volume=27;issue=3;spage=423;epage=427;aulast=Muthukrishnan

Bisphoshonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is an avascular osteo-chemonecrosis of the jaw which results after administration of the group of drugs called as bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are given to prevent bone resorption in osteolytic diseases such as Paget′s, osteoporosis, osteogenic carcinoma, and other carcinomas where there could be metastasis and bone resorption. Incidence of BRONJ is reported to be high in western literature and is found to be more after intravenous route compared to oral route of administration. There are various clinical stages of BRONJ as per the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). Here, we present a rare case of a 60-year-old lady who presented with a complaint of a painless swelling in the alveolus and gingiva in the left maxillary posterior region. This patient was on intravenous Zolendronate for more than 4 years. Thorough examination with detailed investigations revealed BRONJ along with a coexisting second primary tumor, plasmacytoma. Metastasis to distant site is a common feature of malignancy. A metastatic lesion usually occurs within 6 months to 1 year after treatment of a primary lesion. Any fresh neoplasm beyond 1 or 2 years after detection of a primary can be regarded as a second primary tumor. Solitary bone plasmacytoma is a localized form of plasma cell tumor. Diagnosis is based on the presence of the following: Malignant proliferation of plasma cells in biopsy, absence of osteolytic bone lesion, absence of Bence Jones proteins, low concentration of monoclonal proteins, elevated IgG and gamma globulin levels.