• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.637-642
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• 2006

Purpose: Incidence of chronic osteomyelitis in femur is lower than that of tibia due to abundantsurrounding soft tissue like muscles and subcutaneous fat. However, if the femur is infected, surgical approach would be very difficult because of surrounding soft tissue and bony defects would be getting larger due to the late detection. Chronic osteomyelitis of femur is an intractable disease with frequent recurrence and remained bone instability in spite of multiple classical operations. Methods: From August 1998 to October 2005, we had 7 cases of fibular osteocutaneous free flap to reconstruct the femur. Those were followed-up for 23 months. All 7 cases were male. 4 cases were in midshaft and the others are distal part of femur. Results: The 7 cases that had not been healed in spite of average 9.1 times previous operations were reconstructed successfully without the recurrence of chronic osteomyelitis. Continuous rehabilitation therapy and brace were very helpful for the ambulation. It took 5.6 months for complete union of bone, and 9.8 months for the ambulation. Conclusion: After wide resection, reconstruction of the femur using fibular osteocutaneous free flap guaranteed bone stability and prevented recurrence of osteomyelitis through rich blood supplying fibula and muscle. Double barrel graft of fibula would be needed in case of the sufficient strength and thickness of femur. We report the successful results of reconstruction of femur with fibular osteocutaneous free flap for chronic osteomyelitis of femur.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.465-472
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• 2008

We experienced a rare case of oral squamous cell carcinoma arisen from gingival tissues overlying prolonged chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible. A 66 years old man complained of unhealed extraction sockets of left mandibular second premolar and first molar, and showed extensive leukoplakia in the gingival tissues of the same area. The inflammation of the socket granuloma became severe and extended into adjacent mandibular proper, resulted in diffuse suppurative chronic osteomyelitis of mandibular body, exhibiting irregular osteolytic changes of mandibular trabecular patterns in mottled radiolucent appearance. The leukoplakia was initially diagnosed under microscope, and the involved gingival tissues were radically removed. Thereafter, the gingival soft tissue inflammation involving the mandibular osteomyelitis was hardly healed for two years. During the period of repeated surgical treatments for the inflamed lesion, nine biopsies were taken sequentially. Until the eighth biopsy, there consistently showed the suppurative osteomyelitis with ingrowing gingival tissues into the bony inflammatory lesion. The gingival epithelium showed the features of leukoplakia but no evidence of malignant changes. However, the ninth biopsy, taken about 2 years after initial diagnosis, showed the early carcinomatous changes of the gingival epithelium. The neoplastic epithelial cells were relatively well differentiated with many keratin pearls, and infiltrated only into underlying connective tissues. So, we presumed that the present case of squamous cell carcinoma was caused by the persistent inflammatory condition of the mandibular osteomyelitis, and also suggest that the leukoplakia should be carefully removed in the beginning to prevent the neoplatic promotion of the chronic inflammation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical result of anterolateral thigh free flap for pretibial soft tissue lesion after chronic tibia osteomyelitis. From December 2006 to September 2008, Five patients were included in our study. 4 of 5 were superficial or localized types of chronic tibia osteomyelitis, based on the classification of Cierny and Mader. Average age at the surgery was 45 years, three were males and two were females. All had a history of chronic tibia osteomyelitis and subsequent pretbial soft tissue lesions coming from previous operations or pus drainage. Pretibial soft tissue defects included small ulcers, fibrotic, bruisable soft tissue and small bony exposures, but not large-sized bony exposures nor active pus discharge. After complete debridement of large sized pretibial soft tissue lesions and decortication of anterior tibial cortical dead bone, anterolateral thigh free flap was applied to cover remained large pretibial soft tissue defect and to prevent the recurrence of infection. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defect on pretibial region for 16 months' mean follow up period. No patients has had recurrence of osteomyelitis. Anterolateral thigh free flap could be recommend for large sized pretibial soft tissue defect of supreficial or localized types of chronic tibia osteomyelitis after through debridement.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.383-386
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• 2008

Osteomyelitis is considered an inflammatory condition of bone that usually begins as an infection of the medullary cavity and quickly extends to periosteum of the area. Early acute osteomyelitis of the mandible is usually characterized by deep, intense pain, high intermittent fever, paresthesia or anesthesia of the lower lip and a clearly identifiable cause. If the disease is not controlled or inadequately treated after onset, acute osteomyelitis progresses to a chronic form. The diagnosis of mandibular osteomyelitis rests on processing for identification of microbiologic isolates and on imaging studies to determine the extent of disease. Mandibular osteomyelitis often is associated with involvement of the masticator space and can exhibit symtoms similar to temporomandibular disorder including orofacial pain and limited mouth opening. Advanced imaging modalities can be helpful in obtaining a proper diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.470-476
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• 2011

Introduction: The incidence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) has increased gradually in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for osteomyelitis. In this study, a retrospective analysis of BRONJ patients was carried out using the data of osteomyelitis patients treated surgically. Materials and Methods: Osteomyelitis patients, who underwent curettage, sequestrectomy, saucerization or decortications, and partial mandibulectomy at Seoul National University Dental Hospital from 2004 to 2010 were enrolled in this study. The patients were classified and categorized into two groups based on the surgical records and progress notes. One group comprised of patients with osteomyelitis and osteoporosis, and the other group included patients with osteomyelitis only. The epidemiological data of the BRONJ patients was analyzed to identify any trend in the incidence of BRONJ in osteomyelitis patients. Results: Among 200 patients who underwent surgical intervention for osteomyelitis, 64 (32.0%) were identified as having osteoporosis as the underlying disease. In these 64 patients, more than 81.3% had been prescribed bisphosphonates. Females were far more affected by BRONJ than males. The incidence of BRONJ also increased with age. The posterior part of the mandible was affected more frequently by BRONJ. Conclusion: Although the availability of potent antibiotics and increased oral hygiene care can reduce the overall incidence of osteomyelitis, BRONJ can increase the total incidence. To prevent BRONJ, it is recommended that an oral examination be performed before prescribing bisphosphonates. Moreover, the patients should be educated about the potential risks of dental procedures that might be causal factors for BRONJ. Furthermore, patient swho take bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis should undergo periodic follow up oral examinations to prevent BRONJ.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.471-477
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• 2001

Failure to use effective methods of reduction, fixation, and immobilization may lead to nonunion with osteomyelitis, owing to the compound nature of most fractures of the mandible. Nonunion results in fibrous pseudoarthrosis at the fracture site with instability that, once formed, does not improve spontaneously. Once the nonunion with osteomyelitis secondary to fractures has become established, intermaxillary fixation and drainage of infected tissue should be instituted as early as possible, because the fixation & drainage enhances the patient comfort and hinders ingress of microorganisms & debris by movement of bone fragments. The authors treated three cases of nonunion with osteomyelitis by intermaxillary fixation, incision & persistent drainage on the previous fistula site and endodontic drainage of infected teeth in the fracture site of mandible. The localization & sequestration of the infected bone around the fracture was better performed persistently by natural homeostatic mechanism in $8{\sim}10$ weeks and the bony union was then attained without bone grafting.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.307-310
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• 2008

Limited therapeutic options are available for vancomycin intermediate-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (VISE) infections and no optimum therapy has been established. We report a case of VISE skull osteomyelitis that was successfully treated with linezolid. The patient was a 53-year-old man who presented with headache, nausea and dysphasia. Brain computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated a subdural hematoma in the left hemisphere. Craniotomy and hematoma evacuation was performed and he showed good recovery despite a scalp wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The organism isolated from the scalp wound was sensitive to vancomycin. The patient was treated with intravenous vancomycin for 44 days. However, he showed a high fever, persistent positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) blood cultures, and a deteriorating clinical status. He underwent infected skull bone flap removal and linezolid treatment for 35 days. During one year of follow up, he has not had any further episodes of osteomyelitis or fever. Linezolid has shown to be effective agent to eradiate osteomyelitis caused by VISE.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.712-717
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• 1996

The term osteomyelitis literally means inflammation of bone marrow. It is described as an inflammatory condition of bone primarily engaging the medullary cavity extending to the periosteum. Following circulatory collapse and ischemia, the involved portions of the bone become necrotic. Cellulitis and osteomyelitis are the most frequent complications of fractures of the mandible and maxilla, because there is an abscessed tooth in the line of fracture. Since most fractures are compound fractures, infection may develop because of contact with oral secretions or outside air. The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis is still under debate. Some authors rely on antibiotics alone, while others advocate combination with surgery. But when infection occurs, establish proper drainage and administer antibiotics. Author treated a case of infected mandibular fracture with mandibular osteotomy, sequestrectomy, iliac bone graft and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, who had suffered suppurative osteomyelitis and mandibular nonunion following the open reduction of the mandibular fracture.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.245-249
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• 2009

Primary sternal osteomyelitis without predisposing factors is a rare condition, and it is hardly differentiated from metastatic bone tumor especially in patient with the history of primary malignancy because osteomyelities shares frequently common findings with metastatic bone lesion on $^{18}F$-FDG PET and bone scan, Although there have been several publications of primary osteomyelitis mimicking bone metastasis in the spine or extremities, we report a case of primary sternal osteomyelitis in the patient with lung cancer, which has, to our knowledge, not been reported before.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.479-487
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• 1994

Early diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis provide good prognosis and prevent severe complications. Therefore, it is important to early diagnose and treat before the bony changes are observed in conventional radiograms. Authors experienced three cases of early osteomyelitis, and scintigrams were useful to differentiate them from other diseases. The purpose of this report was to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis occurred in the jaws. The characteristic features were as follows: 1. In clinical examination, the patients complained mild pain and localized swelling in the jaws. 2. In radiographic findings, the conventional radiograms showed relatively mild bony changes in the jaws. 3. The more severe periosteal reactions were observed in radiograms in children than in adult patient. 4. It showed marked increased uptake of radioisotopes in all scintigrams. 5. The three phase bone scannings were helpful to differentiate osteomyelitis from soft tissue diseases.