Osteomyelitis of the lower jaw

Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis is an inflammatory bone disorder that may affect children and adolescents. Infections, malignancy and other differential diagnoses require consideration. Osteomyelitis of the jaw is a rare condition, but non-bacterial osteomyelitis is probably more common than previously thought, also in the mandible.

We present four paediatric cases with osteomyelitis of the jaw with no obvious infection source or fever, but mandibular swelling and pain. All the patients were examined clinically, and X-ray, MRI and bone biopsies were performed. Therapeutic measures involved antibiotics, surgical debridement, use of NSAIDS and in one case peroral steroids.

Even though all cases started with similar symptoms, the aetiology remained unclear and it was challenging to reach the final diagnosis. The possibility of chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis was assessed late. The international nomenclature for osteomyelitis is not consistent, and it is in our opinion important to emphasise the aetiology of the condition to avoid terminology misinterpretations which may delay effective treatment.