• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.427-434
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• 2008

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a multifactorial disease and certain individuals are more at risk or may be predisposed to it. An altered lipid metabolism is one of the major risk factors for osteonecrosis, especially corticosteroid therapy and alcoholism. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A. (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, stalin used as lipid-clearing agent, have been known to decrease the risk of osteonecrosis in patients receiving steroids and affect coagulation and fibrinolysis. Therefore we evaluated the association of HMG-CoA reductase gene polymorphisms and haplotypes between osteonecrosis patients and normal controls. We directly sequenced the HMG-CoA reductase gene in 24 Korean individuals, and identified five sequence variants. Four SNPs (-6933C>T, -6045T>G, +12673G>A, and +18128C>T) were selected and genotyped in 349 male ONFH patients and 300 male control subjects. The genotypes, allele frequencies, and haplotypes of the polymorphisms in the total patients as well as in the subgroup by etiology were not significantly different from those in the control group. In addition, no significant differences between each genotype of the polymorphisms and plasma lipid level could be found in the control group. These results suggest that the polymorphisms and haplotypes of HMG-CoA reductase gene are unlikely to be associated with a susceptibility to ONFH.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.478-483
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• 2010

Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogue and have high affinity on bone remodeling site. Since they have a long half-reduction time, they accumulate at bone and act for a long time. They are widely used in osteo-porosis derived from imflammatory bowel disease or postmenopausal osteoporosis patient for bone mineral density improvement. In addition, they neutralize hypercalcemia owing to bone metastasis of malignancy. However, a jaw bone necrosis was recently reported in some patients who have taken bisphosphonates for a long time. It is called Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws (BRONJ). It can come spontaneous-ly, but more often after oral surgery including tooth extraction. In this case, a 80-year-old woman was treated with bisphosphonate (sodium alendronate) for 2 years to improve bone mineral density. She had her left lower second molar tooth extracted at local clinic. After extraction, she had inflammatory symptoms like a pain, a cheek swelling, and a discharge of pus. She was referred to our clinic for treatment. We treated meticulously from dressing to surgery. After following up about 1.5 years, the jaw lesion was successfully healed. So we report this case.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.732-742
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to identify bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) awareness and experience level of patients by medical doctors who prescribes bisphosphonate being used, analyze dental examination referral reality and to utilize its result as basic education data for early diagnosis of BRONJ and its prevention. The study was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire distributed among a sample 192 residents and specialists. They belonged to family medicine, internal medicine and orthopedics of 6 tertiary medical centers located in Seoul. The survey consisted of 22 questions; general characteristics, bisphosphonate therapy, awareness of BRONJ, implementation level of dental examination referral. Among 192 medical doctorss, 78.1% (n=150) showed awareness of BRONJ. Only 8.9% (n=17) had correct response in all 5 BRONJ knowledge questions. Dental examination referral by medical doctors was implemented in below 30% of the total patients. At the time of bisphosphonate administration, specialist of oncology most highly recognized necessity of dental examination referral and it was represented in the order of endocrinology, rheumatology, family medicine, orthopedics specialists. As recognition of medical doctors for BRONJ and implementation level of dental referral were represented to be low, it is considered that enhancement of BRONJ recognition for medical doctors and development of high accessible education program for increasing implementation rate of dental examination referral would be required.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.449-454
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• 2011

Recently, jawbone osteonecrosis has been largely reported as a potential adverse effect of bisphosphonate (BP)administration. Currently available published incidence data for BRONJ are based on retrospective studies and estimates of cumulative incidence range from 0.8 to 12%. The mandible is more commonly affected than the maxilla (2:1 ratio), and 60-70% of cases are preceded by a dental surgical procedure. The signs and symptoms that may occur before the appearance of clinical evident osteonecrosis include changes in the health of periodontal tissues, non-healing mucosal ulcers, loose teeth and unexplained soft-tissue infection. Tooth extraction as a precipitating event is a common observation. The significant benefits that bisphosphonates offer to patients clearly surpass the risk of potential side effects; however, any patient for whom prolonged bisphosphonate therapy is indicated, should be provided with preventive dental care in order to minimize the risk of developing this severe condition.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2020

Objectives: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is caused by a circulatory disorder. If symptoms are not present, the patient's progress is observed, but if symptoms are present, non-surgical methods or total hip replacement are performed. Several case reports have described the effects of Korean Medicine treatment on ONFH, but the number of cases is still small, and few studies have used blood stasis-based herbal medicines like Hwaeo-jeon (HEJ). This study reports the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatments, including HEJ, on a case of ONFH. Methods: A patient diagnosed with ONFH by CT and MRI was treated with Korean Medicine treatments consisting of herbal medicine including HEJ, bee venom pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, and physical therapy. The improvement of pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale. Inflammation levels were determined by blood tests conducted during hospitalization. Results: Korean Medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, resulted in good clinical improvement responses, including reduced pain, improved mobility, and reduced inflammatory levels in the blood tests. Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatments, including HEJ, may be effective for ONFH patients. Further studies are needed to determine the recovery of osteonecrosis and the improvement of post-operative aftereffects using Korean Medicine treatments, as well as the reduction of pre-operative pain.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.174-181
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• 2018

Objectives: The number of patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is increasing, but treatment remains controversial. Published papers and systematic reviews have suggested that surgical treatment is effective in patients with MRONJ. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative University of Connecticut Osteonecrosis Numerical Scale (UCONNS), other serologic biomarkers, and size of necrosis are prognostic factors for outcome of surgical treatment in MRONJ. Materials and Methods: From January 2008 to December 2016, 65 patients diagnosed with MRONJ at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in College of Dentistry, Dankook University who required hospitalization and surgical treatment were investigated. Patient information, systemic factors, and UCONNS were investigated. In addition, several serologic values were examined through blood tests one week before surgery. The size of osteolysis was measured by panoramic view and cone-beam computed tomography in all patients. With this information, multivariate logistic regression analysis with backward elimination was used to examine factors affecting postoperative outcome. Results: In multivariate logistic analysis, higher UCONNS, higher C-reactive protein (CRP), larger size of osteolysis, and lower serum alkaline phosphate were associated with higher incidence of incomplete recovery after operation. This shows that UCONNS, CRP, serum alkaline phosphate, and size of osteolysis were statistically significant as factors for predicting postoperative prognosis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CRP, UCONNS, serum alkaline phosphate, and size of osteolysis were statistically significant factors in predicting the prognosis of surgical outcome of MRONJ. Among these factors, UCONNS can predict the prognosis of MRONJ surgery as a scale that includes various influencing factors, and UCONNS should be used first as a predictor. More aggressive surgical treatment and more definite surgical margins are needed when the prognosis is poor.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2019

Objectives: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a well-known side effect of certain drugs that are used to influence bone metabolism to treat osteometabolic disease or cancers. The purpose of our study was to investigate how high-concentration and low-concentration bisphosphonate (BP) intake affects the disease severity. Materials and Methods: Data collected from the medical records of 52 patients treated with BPs, antiresorptive, antiangiogenic drugs and diagnosed with MRONJ were included in this study. Age, sex, type of systemic disease, type of drug, duration of drug treatment, jaw area with MRONJ, drug administration protocol, and MRONJ clinical and radiological findings were obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: anti-neoplastic (Group I, n=23) and anti-osteoporotic (Group II, n=29). Statistical evaluations were performed using the IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 program. Results: In both groups, more females had MRONJ. MRONJ was found in the mandibles of 30 patients (Group I, n=14; Group II, n=16). When we classified patients according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons staging system, significant differences were seen between groups (${\chi}^2=12.23$, P<0.01). More patients with advanced stage (stage 2-3) MRONJ were found in Group I (60.9%). Conclusion: According to our results, high-concentration BP intake, age and duration of drug intake increased disease severity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of patients on antiresorptive therapies for cancer treatment and assess presence of oral lesions, oral hygiene status, and knowledge regarding medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study that evaluated patients treated with antiresorptive medication at a single cancer hospital. Clinical data were collected and oral examination was performed to assess patient oral health. Results: From July 2017 to December 2018, 90 patients were assessed; 64 were female and 26 were male, and the mean age was 61 years. The most common drug was an intravenous bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid. Among the 90 patients, 47 presented with some type of oral disease, isolated or associated. Among these 47 patients, 9 patients (10%) developed osteonecrosis. Oral hygiene was evaluated, and most patients, with or without MRONJ, presented with regular to poor condition. Regarding patient knowledge of the risks of MRONJ and the risks associated with dental surgery, 60% stated that they were not aware of the risks. Conclusion: Identifying the profile of patients and their needs facilitates not only the preventive process, but also the emergence of new therapeutic options. Our study shows that most patients are weakened both by metastatic disease and antineoplastic treatment as well as by issues associated with aging because most were over 60 years of age. Collectively, this information should be considered for management of preventive and therapeutic measures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.83-86
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• 2000

A vascular necrosis of the talus has frequently been reported following trauma because talus has no muscle insertions, sixty percent of the surface of the talus is covered by hyaline cartilage, takes only a small area for entrance of a blood supply. Osteonecrosis is also associated with a variety of nontraumatic disorders. There are many indications for steroid usage, patient with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and status- post renal or cardiac transplantation may be on long- term steroid usage, osteonecrosis may develop. A vascular necrosis of the talus secondary to chronic steroid usage is an unusual case. Delay in detection of osteonecrosis may lead to fragmentation and collapse of the talar body. When pain on range of motion is present and conservative treatment have been exhausted, surgical treatment is indicated, that is, fusion of the ankle joint. However it is important that conservative treatment may prevent its various sequelae with early diagnosis because steroid - treated patients have a more operative risk and increased risk for postoperative infection. We report a rare case of corticosteroid induced avascular necrosis of talus after cardiac transplantation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.365-369
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• 2016

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and oral characteristics of cancer patients treated with bisphosphonates in the oncology and maxillofacial prosthesis departments of the General Hospital of Mexico between 2011 and 2013. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients who received prior treatment with bisphosphonates; an intraoral examination was performed by 2 standardized examiners. Results: The prevalence of bisphosphonate-related necrosis in 75 patients was 2.6%; the most common malignancy was breast cancer (84.0%), followed by prostate cancer (16.0%). Exostosis was present in 9.3% of patients and the mean Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index was 4.64; 44.0% of the study group had a Community Periodontal Index value between 2 and 2.9 (mean, 0.60). Conclusion: A detailed intraoral assessment must be performed before initiating treatment with bisphosphonates to identify risk factors for osteonecrosis.