HISTOLOGIC COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BONE SPECIMENS FROM BISPHOSPHONATE-RELATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAWS AND OSTEOMYELITIS.

Few studies have comparatively evaluated the histologic features of surgical specimens derived from bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) and osteomyelitis (OM) affected bone. Objective: To compare the histologic findings in bone tissue affected by BRONJ and OM in a series of specimens submitted to analysis in a single oral pathology laboratory. Study Design: Bone specimens derived from areas affected by BRONJ (5 cases) and OM (13 cases) were selected. Five-μm hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections were used for histologic analysis (osteoblast layer, type and amount of compact bone, reversal lines, and presence of bacterial colonies). Results: Osteoblasts layers were absent in all samples from the BRONJ group in comparison with 8 samples from the OM group (62%). Presence of bacterial colonies and reversal lines was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Absence of the osteoblast layer is more common in BRONJ samples in comparison with OM samples and can represent differences in the capacity of bone turnover associated with both conditions. The authors thank FAPERJ for the financial support for the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]