Bilateral pathological fracture of mandible associated with osteoradionecrosis

Abstract

AbstractPathological fractures comprise <2% of mandibular fractures. Common aetiological factors include surgical procedures, osteonecrosis of the jaw, infection and tumours (Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 27: 186–190, 1998). In preparation for radiotherapy, prophylactic extractions are carried out in advance to achieve complete mucosal coverage prior to commencing radiotherapy. We report a case of bilateral pathologic fractures of the mandibular angle in a patient 2 months after completion of radiotherapy who had undergone surgical removal of bilateral mandibular wisdom teeth a fortnight prior to radiotherapy.