Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Although the treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is very difficult, it can be prevented. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the treatment of bisphosphonates user patients.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out by census sampling of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Tehran, Iran from March to June 2016. The employed instrument was a questionnaire including 4 sections. The first section was to collect the demographic information of the participants. In the second part including 7 questions, the knowledge of the participants was measured. The third section with 6 questions was to assess the participants’ practice in the treatment of patients using bisphosphates. Finally, the last sections contained 4 questions. The content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by 5 specialists in the field (two oral and maxillofacial surgeons, two periodontists, and one endodontist). To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, it was given twice with a 10-day interval to 10 of target group members. The calculation of Spearman-Brown formula revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.79.
Results: In the treatment of BRONJ, most subjects responded to risk, 1 and 2 stages patient education and symptom relief. Treatment with antibiotics and debridement surgery was chosen for patients with higher stages. From 123 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 102 answered the questionnaires. 77.2% of the surgeons answered correctly to questions about implant insertion. This percentage was higher than other therapeutic procedures.
Conclusion: The knowledge of oral and maxillofacial surgeons as final line of referral and treatment of patients using bisphosphonates should be increased.

Background: Jawbone involvement and destructive bone lesions in the mandible and maxilla are reported in 30% of patients with multiple myeloma. In general, plasma cell neoplasia rarely occurs in the maxillofacial area, and an incidence of 2.6-3.3 per 100,000 people is reported for solitary plasmacytoma in jawbones. This study aims to present and evaluate a patient with multiple myeloma and the first symptoms in the maxillofacial area.
Case Presentation: The patient was a 52 years old woman complaining of painful swelling in the left area of the face that had enlarged during the last month. She was referred to the maxillofacial disease department of the Dental School of Mashhad, Iran in Feb 2022. The patient has had paresthesia in the left area of the face since 6 months ago. In the extra-oral examination, a 4×10 cm mass was observed in the left mandibular angle extending anteriorly toward the sublingual area. The oral mucosa was normal. According to the clinical profile, malignancy was considered a differential diagnosis. Incisional biopsy of the lesion revealed the proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells. The positive result of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for CD138, performed on the specimen to confirm plasmacytoma and detection of small primary lytic lesions in the skull and spine confirmed multiple myeloma. The usual symptoms of multiple myeloma, including low back pain, were not observed. The patient underwent chemotherapy under the supervision of a hematologist.

Conclusion: Jawbone involvement is often less mentioned as the first symptom of multiple myeloma; however, compared to the vertebral column or skull lesions, these areas are easily biopsied, providing the possibility of early detection and treatment of multiple myeloma, hence a promising disease prognosis. The concurrence of destructive bone lesions and sensory changes in the maxillofacial area is a red flag. Precise radiographic evaluation and blood tests can help early detect multiple myeloma. Awareness of general dentists about the possibility of blood dyscrasia such as multiple myeloma with such early symptoms in patients can lead to early diagnosis of patients. This report reminds inexperienced clinicians of the special importance of sensory changes in the head and neck.