Osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates therapy: Diagnostic value of the detached–hypernucleated osteoclasts—A preliminary report

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is frequently induced by intravenous administration of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (BPs). Similarities between BRONJ and infected osteonecrosis (ION) with no history of BPs use have been described. The aim of this study is to compare the light microscopical findings of two lesions, especially in the histomorphologic analysis of osteoclasts. We investigated eight patients with intravenous BPs treatment and osteonecrosis, and seven patients suffering from ION with no history of BPs use. The present study found that an increase in the number of hypernucleated, detached osteoclasts may be a diagnostic value for BRONJ associated with intravenous nitrogen-containing BPs therapy.