Infarction of maxilla : A rare case report

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a disease of bone where symptomatic exposure of nonhealing areas over jaws are seen. We report our experience in the management of a patient with history of trauma to nose, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus & hypertension, who presented with osteonecrosis of the jaw and was under medications but was unaware of the name of the medications. The patient was found to be of an average built, had normal gait with no physical handicap and was alert, conscious and cooperative and responsive to verbal commands with vital parameters within normal range. Intraoral clinical examination revealed poor oral hygiene with bony exposure & necrotic appearance of the maxillary alveolus in the edentulous 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 region. To confirm the diagnosis, patient was subjected to radiographic, laboratory and histopathological investigations and was advised to take Clindamycin capsules, supplementation of Antioxidant, Calcium capsules and topical application of Metronidazole gel & oral rinse with Povidone iodine 2% Gargles. Based on this diagnosis, patient underwent surgical debridement and finally resection of bony segment of maxillary alveolus extending from 15 to 25 region in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. After the surgery, patient had an acceptable maxillary alveolus and was put on periodic recall for six months. But there was recurrence after 19th months.