Management of Osteomyelitis of the Jaws: Reports of experience at a Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria. Reports of experience in osteomyelitis of the jaw management

Abstract

Background: Osteomyelitis of the jaw is an infection of the
jaw bones and its marrow, usually caused by pyogenic
bacteria or mycobacterium, which could be acute or
chronic. It is an infection that spreads away from its primary
source.
Objectives: To report the aetiology, clinical features,
management and complications of osteomyelitis of the
jaws managed in our centre.
Methodology: This study was done at Barau Dikko
Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. It was a retrospective
analysis of patients who were treated for osteomyelitis of
the jaws. Those who declined our treatment modalities
were exempted from the study. The study spanned from
January 2013 to December 2023. Patients’ record files were
used to extract the information needed. Records in the
radiology unit of the hospital were also used. The data
collected includes: - the age of the patient at presentation,
sex, location of the lesion, clinical features, radiological
report, treatment modalities and complications of the
disease.
Results: Forty-eight patients were included in this study,
males were 29, while females were 19 and the ratio of males
affected by this lesion to females was 1.60: 1.00. This lesion
affected all age groups. The youngest in this study was 9
years while the oldest was 83 years. The mandible was more
affected than the maxilla. The chronic suppurative type was
the most common while proliferative periostitis was the
least. The most common cause is odontogenic that is tooth
decay and advanced periodontitis. The treatment given
includes antibiotics therapy, rehydration, extraction of
offending teeth, incision and drainage, curettage,
sequestrectomy and decortication. Common complications
were persistent facial asymmetry in children and recurrence
in adults.
Conclusion: Osteomyelitis of the jaws could be managed
effectively through the use of antibiotics, and surgical
curettage. Also, it could be prevented through adequate
dissemination of oral health knowledge to the citizens and
the availability of affordable dental services.
sequestrectomy.