The "Lumpy Jaw" Disease-Treatment and Diagnostical Challenge of Actinomycotic Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a serious entity that can occur in many different locations. Especially in the mandible, osteomyelitis can show different clinical courses, which differ clearly from other anatomical regions in terms of severity and treatment. Osteomyelitis in the mandible is often caused by mixed species of the oral cavity. A species causing subacute/chronic osteomyelitis can be actinomyces. Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of the jaw represents a diagnostic and treatment challenging disease.

This article describes our perspective on the therapy pillars treating actinomycotic osteomyelitis. The rapid introduction of the two therapeutic elements (antibiosis/surgical therapy) is crucial regarding the outcome of this entity.