Osteoradionecrosis: Causes and prevention

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · NCI Monographs (National Cancer Institute); (USA)

OSTI ID:6748877

Friedman, R B ^[1]

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1. Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Richmond (USA)

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is one of the most serious complications arising from head and neck radiation therapy. Current research has shown that ORN represents nonhealing, dead bone and is not a state of infection. ORN is the result of functional and structural bony changes that may not be expressed for months or years. ORN may occur spontaneously or in response to wounding. Predisposing factors include absorbed radiation dose, fractionation, delivery modality, and dental status. Timing of dental extractions and other factors have also been shown to affect incidence. ORN may be reduced through early intraoral evaluation, treatment, and adequate healing time prior to beginning RT. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been beneficial in the prevention and treatment of ORN. It is of paramount importance for the medical community to recognize the factors that may reduce ORN incidence, endorse oral care protocols, and acknowledge the value of HBO therapy in the prevention and treatment of this disease. 60 references.

• OSTI ID: 6748877
• Journal Information: NCI Monographs (National Cancer Institute); (USA), Vol. 9; ISSN 0893-2751
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
OSTEORADIONECROSIS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
HEAD
NECK
NEOPLASMS
OXYGEN
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
REVIEWS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
ELEMENTS
INJURIES
LOCAL RADIATION EFFECTS
MEDICINE
NECROSIS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
SKELETAL DISEASES
THERAPY
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man