Alendronate-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in an Elderly Female

• Main Authors: Bi-Wei Jan, Hui-Wen Liu, Hung Yu, Shen-Chuan Wang, Chung-Ji Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM) 2012-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Gerontology
• Subjects: alendronate; osteonecrosis of the jaw; osteoporosis
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959811000688

Background: In recent years, more and more evidence has demonstrated that a rare symptom, osteonecrosis of the jaw, may be associated with long-term use of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) adversely affects the quality of life, producing significant morbidity in afflicted patients. The most common signs and symptoms are swelling, exposed bone, local infection, pathologic fracture of the jaw, etc. Patients and methods: We report the case of an elderly female patient with alendronate-induced ONJ. After the patient discontinued taking bisphosphonates and her physician prescribed antiseptic mouthwashes and antibiotic drugs, her uncomfortable symptoms were relieved. Results: This side effect rarely occurs in Taiwan; it causes permanent harm to patients. Moreover, it affects the normal function of taking food. Therefore, this article includes a case report and a list of some related papers systematically providing clinicians with a reference for future prescription of bisphosphonates. Conclusion: Furthermore, we provide suggestions for the Mackay Memorial Hospital and dentists, in anticipation of earlier measures being taken in order to avoid bisphosphonaterelated osteonecrosis, and to reduce additional medical expenses resulting from this side effect.