Osteomyelitis of the mandible in sickle cell disease

We report 16 cases of osteomyelitis of the mandible in patients with sickle cell disease, an incidence of 5% of all patients who presented with osteomyelitis of the jaws. There was a striking predominance of men (13/16, 81%). The mean age at presentation was 23 years. The pathogens were predominantly mixed organisms and Staphylococcus aureus. Lesions were mainly in the posterior region of the mandible, and were usually operated on under general anaesthesia with adequate provision for the prevention of hypoxia.