Evaluation of BP-ONJ in osteopenic and healthy sheep: comparing ZTE-MRI with µCT

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BP-ONJ) is a side effect of antiresorptive treatment that is increasingly prescribed for patients with osteoporosis or malignant diseases with bone metastases. Surgical treatment of BP-ONJ requires adequate pre-operative imaging. To date, CT is the imaging standard in clinical routine; however, defining the extent of the pathological area is difficult and soft tissues are poorly displayed. MRI with zero echo time (ZTE-MRI) to display hard tissues enables a precise display of calcified structures and soft tissues for the delineation of bone necrosis and soft-tissue reactions.

BP-ONJ was induced in eight sheep by extraction of two premolars in the left mandible and zoledronate (ZOL) administration. Eight sheep without ZOL administration served as the control group. Four sheep of each main group underwent osteopenia induction via ovariectomy, glucocorticoid administration and a calcium-free diet. After sacrifice, the area of tooth extraction was harvested and scanned with micro-CT (µCT) and ZTE-MRI. Two trained dentists analyzed digital imaging and communications in medicine data sets using three-dimensional imaging software. The periosteal reaction and the remaining extraction sockets were measured.

BP-ONJ was evident, and the remaining extraction sockets were observed in all animals treated with ZOL. Periosteal reactions were more pronounced in animals treated with ZOL, and they appeared broader in ZTE-MRI.

BP-ONJ lesions in the sheep mandible can be detected using µCT and ZTE-MRI. Although illustration of sequester was more consistent using the µCT, ZTE-MRI was advantageous in evaluation of periosteal reaction.