Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) in osteoporosis patients: report of delayed diagnosis of a multisite case and commentary about risks coming from a restricted ONJ definition

Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (ONJ) in osteoporosis patients has been defined as rare, but the number of reported cases is increasing. We report a case of delayed ONJ diagnosis in a patient treated with alendronate developing bone alterations both in maxilla and in mandible. Underestimation of ONJ incidence and missed or delayed ONJ diagnosis in osteoporosis patients might derive from lack of awareness of health providers as well as from a too restricted ONJ definition. The more recent definition of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ) released in 2014 by the American Association of Oral maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) accept fistula beside bone exposure as major sign of disease but it seems to be not sufficient to include all cases of ONJ disease without bone exposure. A new MRONJ definition is needed to avoid missing or delayed diagnosis.