Inflammatory Lesions
Most common pathologic conditions of the jaws
Teeth create a direct pathway for inflammatory agents and pathogens to invade the bone when Inflammatory Lesions of the Jaws caries and periodontal Steven R. Singer, DDS disease are present
Inflammatory Lesions Bone Metabolism
Inflammation is the Balance of bone resorption by body’s response to chemical, physical, or osteoclasts and bone deposition by microbial injury osteoblasts
First, the inflammatory Osteoblasts mediate the resorptive response destroys the causative agent and activity of the osteoclasts walls off the injured Inflammatory conditions of bone exist area along a continuum, with varying clinical Second, it sets up an environment for repair features of the injured tissue
Inflammation of the Bone Inflammation of the Bone Periapical Inflammatory Lesions
Periodontal Osteomyelitis Lesions
Pericoronitis
1 The Cardinal Signs of Inflammation Acute v. Chronic Lesions Acute Lesions Chronic Lesions
Recent onset Long, insidious onset
Rapid Prolonged course
Pronounced pain Intermittent, low-
Often with fever and grade fever
Heat swelling Gradual swelling Redness Swelling Pain Loss of Function
Acute v. Chronic Lesions
Without a second radiograph, exposed at a different time, it is often impossible to determine if a lesion is chronic or acute.
Therefore, temporal descriptors are usually omitted from radiographic descriptions
Radiographic Features Location
Periapical Inflammatory Lesions
Epicenter of the lesion is usually at the apex
May also be along the lateral root surface due to accessory canals, root fractures, or iatrogenic perforations
Courtesy of USC School of Dentistry
2 Apical Rarefying Osteitis Location
Periodontal Lesions
Epicenter of the lesion is located at the alveolar crest
Inflammatory changes in bone may extend to the apex and into the furcation of posterior teeth
Periodontal Disease and Apical Rarefying Osteitis Location Osteomyelitis
Usually found in the posterior mandible
Involvement of the maxilla is rare, due to greater vascularity
Borders Apical Rarefying Osteitis
Generally poorly demarcated
Blending into normal trabeculation
3 Internal Architecture Effects on Adjacent Structures
Resorption will give a radiolucent Stimulation of surrounding bone, appearance to the lesion producing a sclerotic border Bone formation (osteosclerosis) will give Bone resorption, resulting in radiolucent trabeculation a denser and more areas numerous appearance Widening of the periodontal ligament Usually, lesion will present as a combination of altered density space. The greatest widening will be at the epicenter of the lesion Osteomyelitis will often yield sequestra of bone
Condensing Osteitis Osteomyelitis
Apical Rarefying Osteitis
4 Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions Unacceptable Terminology Synonyms Acute apical Radicular cyst PAP or periapical
periodontitis Apical periodontitis* pathology
Chronic apical Apical rarefying Area periodontitis osteitis * Endo tooth
Periapical abscess Sclerosing osteitis * Perio-endo lesion
Periapical granuloma Condensing osteitis* Endo-perio lesion
Radiology *Preferred radiographic terminology! StationTM
Interrelationship of possible Apical Rarefying Osteitis and results of periapical inflammation Sclerosing Osteitis
Caries Periapical abscess Osteomyelitis Acute Necrotic pulp Apical periodontitis Chronic Trauma Periapical granuloma Periapical cyst
From White and Pharoah, 5th edition p.367
Apical Rarefying Osteitis and Periapical Inflammatory Sclerosing Osteitis Lesions
Local response of bone secondary to pulpal necrosis or severe periodontal disease
At least 60% demineralization must occur before the lesion can be seen on a radiograph. Therefore, it is inappropriate to use a radiograph as a vitality test
5 Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions
Histologically, the lesion is apical periodontitis, which is defined as a periapical abscess or periapical granuloma
The reaction is initiated by toxic metabolites from the necrotic pulp
Clinically, the symptoms may include pain, swelling, fever, lymphadenopathy, or may be asymptomatic
Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions
Acute lesions may evolve into chronic Location ones At the apex of a tooth Therefore, it is important to note that May be along the root surface if the clinical presentation may not associated with a lateral canal or correspond with the histopathological or perforation from root canal treatment radiographic findings
Periapical Inflammatory Apical Rarefying Osteitis Lesions Borders
Ill-defined, gradually blending with normal trabeculation
Can occasionally have a well- demarcated border
6 Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions Internal Architecture Internal Architecture Earliest change is loss of bone density The region of the lesion closest to the resulting in widening of periodontal apex is generally lucent, while the ligament space periphery tends to be exhibit sclerotic As the lesion progresses, loss of density changes involves a larger area When the lesion is mostly lucent, the As the lesion progresses, a mixed term Apical Rarefying Osteitis is used rarefying and sclerotic appearance may When the lesion is mostly sclerotic, the be seen. term Apical Condensing Osteitis is used
Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions Internal Architecture Effects on adjacent structures
When closely examined, the sclerotic Lesions may stimulate resorption or areas exhibit both increased number deposition of surrounding bone. and thickness of trabeculae The sclerotic lesion may be localized or may extend over a wider area The lesion may destroy cortical borders, such as the floor of the maxillary sinus or cause displacement or remodeling. This remodeling is called halo effect
Periapical Inflammatory Halo Effect Lesions Effects on adjacent structures
Chronic lesions may result in root resorption
If the cortical border of the maxillary sinus is perforated, there may be a localized thickening of the schneiderian membrane. This is called mucositis
7 Root Resorption Halo Effect and Mucositis
Mucositis Mucositis
Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Internal Resorption Effects on adjacent structures
Internal or external resorption of the root, calcification of the pulp chamber, and wide appearance of the pulp chamber may be evident
8 Internal Resorption Internal Resorption
Periapical Inflammatory Periapical Inflammatory Lesions Lesions Differential Diagnosis
Early lesions of Periapical Cemental Dysplasia (PCD) often have an appearance similar to that of a periapical inflammatory lesion. Pulp vitality testing must be performed to differentiate the two lesions. Idiopathic osteosclerosis 8/06 3/07
Differential Diagnosis Periapical Cemental Dysplasia
9 Periapical Cemental Dysplasia Periapical Cemental Dysplasia
Idiopathic Osteosclerosis Idiopathic Osteosclerosis
Case courtesy of Ohio State Case courtesy of Ohio State University College of Dentistry University College of Dentistry
Idiopathic Osteosclerosis Bone Marrow Defect
10 Pericoronitis
Inflammation of the tissues surrounding a partially erupted tooth. rd Usually occurs around 3 molars
Starts in soft tissue surrounding erupting tooth
May extend into the bone surrounding the tooth
Often associated with trismus
Radiographic Features of Pericoronitis Pericoronitis Location
Early lesions may show no radiographic features
Follicular space may be expanded around the crown. >3mm should be monitored
Radiographic Features of Radiographic Features of Pericoronitis Pericoronitis Borders Internal Architecture
May be ill defined Radiolucent, with thin, sparse
A sclerotic border is not unusual trabeculae Increased trabeculation toward periphery
11 Radiographic Features of Radiographic Features of Pericoronitis Pericoronitis Effects on adjacent structures Differential diagnoses
Sclerotic border Enostoses and osteosclerosis
In larger lesions, periosteal new bone Fibrous dysplasia
formation may be evident Malignancies such as osteosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Pericoronitis
Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the bone Bacteria and by-products stimulate an May spread to involve: inflammatory reaction in bone
Marrow In young patients, the periosteum is
Cortex Periosteum lifted by inflammatory exudates. New
Cancellous portion bone is laid down. This is called Garre’s Osteomyelitis Caused by pyogenic organisms from abscessed teeth, trauma, or surgery Presence of sequestra is a hallmark of osteomyelitis. These can be seen in Source of infection can not always be identified both plain films and CT
12 Radiographic features of Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis
Acute and chronic forms exist Location
Acute form demonstrates purulent The most common location of drainage osteomyelitis of the jaws is the Paresthesia of the lip may be present, posterior body of the mandible suggesting a malignancy Involvement of the maxilla is rare, perhaps due to its excellent vascularity
Radiographic features of Radiographic features of Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis Borders Internal architecture
The borders of these lesions are ill- Initially, there is a slight decrease in the defined, gradually blending into the radiodensity of the bone, with the normal trabecular pattern trabeculae becoming less well defined There may be scattered areas of lucency in the area Later, areas of sclerotic bone are seen Sequestra are most apparent in the chronic forms
Radiographic features of Radiographic features of Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis Internal architecture Effects on adjacent structures Chronic osteomyelitis may arise from the Surrounding bone may be resorbed or acute form or de novo laid down In the chronic form, the balance tips in favor of osteoclastic activity May cause resorption of the cortex Trabeculae may be completely obscured, In Garre’s osteomyelitis, the cortex is yielding a uniformly opaque appearance to expanded through deposition of new the bone bone. The radiographic appearance of Sequestra are generally larger in the chronic these new layers of bone is termed form onion skin or proliferative periostitis
13 Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis in a 12 yo male
Case courtesy of Dr. Grace Petrikowski
Osteomyelitis in a 12 yo male Osteomyelitis in a 12 yo male
Case courtesy of Dr. Grace Case courtesy of Dr. Grace Petrikowski Petrikowski
Osteomyelitis in a 12 yo male Osteomyelitis and FCOD
Case courtesy of Dr. Grace Petrikowski
14 Sequestrum of Osteomyelitis Garre’s Osteitis
Garre’s Osteitis
Photo credit: Betty Huang ‘09
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw ONJ Case 1 (ONJ) ONJ – Case #1
Found in patients using Bisphosphonates for chemotherapy
May also be found in patients using Phosamax for osteoporosis
Radiographic appearance resembles chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis
15 ONJ Case 1 ONJ Case 1 ONJ – Case #1 ONJ – Case #1
ONJ Case 2 ONJ Case 2 ONJ – Case #2 ONJ – Case #2
Radiographic features of Did I just sleep through the Osteomyelitis entire lecture? Differential diagnosis
Fibrous dysplasia
Pagets disease of bone
Osteosarcoma
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) The patient’s age and clinical presentation may help in the diagnosis
16 Thanks!
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