Is Osteoradionecrosis Evolving with Improved Radiotherapy Delivery System?

Osteoradionecrosis1(ORN) is a complication following radiotherapy and can often be difficult to manage. There remains no guaranteed cure once present and hence concerted efforts are made pre-radiotherapy through intervention such as prophylactic dental extraction to reduce the risk of its occurrence. This practice was largely based upon identifying induced causes, such as dental extraction2 as the major cause. Furthermore with improved radiotherapy delivery systems through intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) the incidence of ORN was hypothesised to significantly reduce, but remains to be seen.