Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases · Published 2026-07-20 · DOI 10.1016/j.omsc.2026.100475
Miranda J.M. Wetselaar-Glas, Sarina E.C. Pichardo, Marieke M. van de Meent, Elizabeth M. Winter, Natasha M. Appelman-Dijkstra, J.P. Richard van Merkesteyn
Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible is a rare condition, characterized by a chronic reaction to sterile inflammation of bone. DSO is distinguished from other forms of osteomyelitis by the absence of signs of infection, i.e. pus, fistula and sequestration, and can occur with or without symptoms. The exact cause is still poorly understood, resulting in different terminology, underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and delayed diagnosis, highlighting remaining difficulties in recognizing the spectrum of the disease across different medical specialties. Therefore, careful diagnosis is key in order to come to the proper treatment. DSO can lead to progressive deformation of the mandible and a remodeling resection may be necessary. This case-report describes a more than twenty years follow up. At the first intake, a then 44 year old female reported no symptoms other than the gradual enlargement and deformation of the mandibula over the preceding years and the progressive displacement of teeth in the right lower and upper jaw. Her complaints were of both aesthetic and functional nature. The first phase of the treatment consisted of stabilisation of the condition with several bisphosphonate treatments. The second phase was a surgical treatment with decortication, resection, placement of four dental implants accompanied by bisphosphonate treatment. The third phase consisted of rehabilitation with a fixed suprastructure. The follow-up period of eight years after the surgery, showed a stable situation.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →
Wetselaar-Glas, M., Pichardo, S., Meent, M., et al. (2026). Treatment of a patient with diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible: a more than twenty year follow-up case report. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omsc.2026.100475