Sinus mucosal thickening in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a case-control study

Osteonecrosis of the jaws is a clinically significant complication of bisphosphonate (BP) medications. Otherwise, the effects of BPs on oral soft tissue or cells remain unknown. The main objective of the present study was to determine whether the presence of sinus mucosal thickening was significantly related to BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). A case-control study was conducted on 32 patients who underwent treatment of BRONJ with conventional radiological investigations (panoramic radiographs) and computed tomography. The results indicated that patients with BRONJ had a 5.57-fold greater probability of presenting sinus mucosal thickening than controls. Although the existence of this thickening was more common in patients with advanced-stage disease or low levels of C-telopeptide-cross-linked type I collagen, no significant difference was observed between cases and controls. While considering the limitations inherent in the design and number of cases analyzed in our study, patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw were found to have a 5.57-fold greater probability of presenting sinus mucosal thickening (>3 mm) than healthy subjects.