[Clinics and therapy of the osteomyelitis of the lower jaw]

During the last three decades the clinical picture of osteomyelitis has considerably changed. Acute cases have become rarer than in the past. The outbreak of the disease to be observed in recent times is primarily of a subacute chronic stage. These non-characteristic symptoms make diagnosis more difficult. Acute cases of osteomyelitis are treated with antibiotics; chronic cases should surgically be approached as early as possible. Surgical methods used are above all decortication as well as transplantation of autogenous spongiosa.