Osteoradionecrosis in patients irradiated in the head and neck region - a case series

This study aimed to describe 21 cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region. ORN cases diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2020 in a southern Brazil hospital were selected. ORN demographic data and clinical features were collected. Men (n=16/76.2%) with a mean age of 60.9 (34.5; 70.9) years were more affected. The tumor's primary sites were the mouth (n=12), oropharynx (n=7), hypopharynx (n=1), and skin (n=1), with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (n=19), Cystic Adenoid Carcinoma (n=1), and Adenocarcinoma (n=1) diagnoses. The mandible was the most affected location (n=19/90.48%), with an average time of ORN development of 60.9 (2.1; 80.3) months after radiotherapy treatment. In 13 (61.9%) patients, post-radiotherapy tooth extractions were performed and were considered the triggering factor. ORN is more common in the mandible of male patients undergoing tooth extraction after radiotherapy. Dental evaluation prior to radiotherapy treatment is necessary to minimize ORN development. This study aimed to describe 21 cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region. ORN cases diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2020 in a southern Brazil hospital were selected. ORN demographic data and clinical features were collected. Men (n=16/76.2%) with a mean age of 60.9 (34.5; 70.9) years were more affected. The tumor's primary sites were the mouth (n=12), oropharynx (n=7), hypopharynx (n=1), and skin (n=1), with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (n=19), Cystic Adenoid Carcinoma (n=1), and Adenocarcinoma (n=1) diagnoses. The mandible was the most affected location (n=19/90.48%), with an average time of ORN development of 60.9 (2.1; 80.3) months after radiotherapy treatment. In 13 (61.9%) patients, post-radiotherapy tooth extractions were performed and were considered the triggering factor. ORN is more common in the mandible of male patients undergoing tooth extraction after radiotherapy. Dental evaluation prior to radiotherapy treatment is necessary to minimize ORN development.