Characteristic Multimodal Imaging of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Comparison Between Oral and Parenteral Routes of Medication Administration

Background: To assess multimodal imaging features of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and to analyze the differences between oral and parenteral routes of medication administration. We retrospectively reviewed panoramic radiographs, CT, MRI, and bone scintigraphy of patients with MRONJ.

Material/methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 16 patients with MRONJ who underwent panoramic radiography, CT, MRI, and bone scintigraphy. Statistical analysis for the comparison between routes of medication administration and multimodal imaging features was performed with the Pearson's χ test.

Results: The percentage of cases with sequestrum separation was 25.0% (4/16 cases) on panoramic radiography and 81.3% (13/16 cases) on CT. The percentage of cases with periosteal bone proliferation on CT was 41.7% (5/12 cases) in the oral route of administration 100% (4/4 cases) in the parenteral route of administration (p=0.042). The percentage of cases with spread of soft tissue inflammation to buccal and other spaces on CT and MRI was 33.3% (4/12 cases) in the oral route of administration 100% (4/4 cases) in the parenteral route of administration (p=0.021).

Conclusions: The sequestrum separation on panoramic radiography in patients with MRONJ was unclear in comparison to CT. Furthermore, characteristic CT findings of patients with MRONJ in the parenteral administration group were periosteal bone proliferation and spread of soft tissue inflammation to buccal and other spaces.