Adjuvant therapy in osteoradionecrosis management: case reports

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v42n0a2026-79937

Keywords:

Osteoradionecrosis, Ozone, Platelet-rich fibrin, Radiotherapy.

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis is a chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy. It is characterized by necrotic bone exposure in previously irradiated areas. The clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic bone exposure to severe infections and pathological fractures. We report the clinical outcomes of adjunctive therapies for osteoradionecrosis management. Three male patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis following head and neck radiotherapy underwent treatment with a weekly ozone therapy protocol that included ozonated water irrigation, gas infiltration, and topical ozonated oil application. One patient with severe disease required a combination of surgical debridement and platelet-rich fibrin membrane placement. All the patients demonstrated progressive epithelialization, infection control, and accelerated wound healing. These results suggest that ozone therapy is a valuable strategy for enhancing tissue regeneration and improving wound healing, whether used alone or in combination with surgical procedures and platelet-rich fibrin. Altogether, these findings reinforce the potential of multimodal approaches in the clinical management of osteoradionecrosis.

References

AKDENIZ, S. S. et al. The effects of ozone application on genotoxic damage and wound healing in bisphosphonate-applied human gingival fibroblast cells. Clin Oral Investig. 2018, 22 (2), 867-873. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2163-6

BACA-GONZALEZ, L. et al. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF): comparative release of growth factors and biological effect on osteoblasts. Int J Implant Dent. 2022, 8 (1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-022-00440-4

BEAUMONT, S. et al. Timing of dental extractions in patients undergoing radiotherapy and the incidence of osteoradionecrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021, 59 (5), 511-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.10.006

BORGES, G. A. et al. In vitro evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potential of ozone therapy. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2017, 45 (3), 364-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2017.01.005

CECERSKA-HERYĆ, E. et al. Applications of the regenerative capacity of platelets in modern medicine. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2022, 64, 84-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.11.003

DA SILVA K. G. et al. O uso da ozonioterapia no âmbito odontológico: uma intervenção multifacetada. Revista Contemporânea. 2024, 4 (4), 01-16. https://doi.org/10.56085/RCV4N4-073

FRITZ M. A. et al. Managing Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025, 172 (2), 406-418. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.990

HARRIS, P. et al. Platelet-rich fibrin as a treatment option for osteoradionecrosis: A literature review. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022, 123 (3), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jormas.2021.06.005

HE, Y. et al. Retrospective analysis of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: proposing a novel clinical classification and staging system. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015, 44 (12), 1547-1557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2015.04.006

JIN, T. et al. Preoperative status and treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw: a retrospective study of 252 cases. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020, 58 (10), 276-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.07.031

KERWAN, A. et al. Revised Surgical Case Report (SCARE) guideline: An update for the age of Artificial Intelligence. Premier Journal of Science. 2025, 10. https://doi.org/10.70389/PJS.100079

MANZANO, B. R. et al. Retrospective study of osteoradionecrosis in the jaws of patients with head and neck cancer. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019, 45 (1), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2019.45.1.21

ROMARY, D. J. et al. Liquid ozone therapies for the treatment of epithelial wounds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Wound J. 2023, 20 (4), 1235-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13941

STORE, G., BOYSEN, M. Mandibular osteoradionecrosis: clinical behaviour and diagnostic aspects. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2000, 25 (5), 378-384. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2273.2000.00367.x

SUH, Y. et al. Clinical utility of ozone therapy in dental and oral medicine. Med Gas Res. 2019, 9 (3), 163-167. https://doi.org/10.4103/2045-9912.266997

VENERI. F. et al. Ozone therapy in dentistry: An overview of the biological mechanisms involved (Review). Biomed Rep. 2024, 21 (2), 115. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1803

VORAKULPIPAT, P. et al. Combination of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Pentoxifylline/Tocopherol as a Novel Preventive Option in Osteoradionecrosis: A Case Report. Eur J Dent. 2023, 17 (1), 250-254. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1750777

XIAO, W. et al. Ozone oil promotes wound healing by increasing the migration of fibroblasts via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Biosci Rep. 2017, 37 (6), BSR20170658. https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20170658

YILMAZ, B. et al. Challenges in the radiological diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw in head and neck cancer patients. Em: C.M. SERGI, ed. Advancements in cancer research. Brisbane: Exon Publications. 2023. https://doi.org/10.36255/osteoradionecrosis-radiological-diagnosis.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-06

Issue

Section

Health Sciences

How to Cite

Adjuvant therapy in osteoradionecrosis management: case reports. Bioscience Journal [online], 2026. [online], vol. 42, pp. e42009. [Accessed9 April 2026]. DOI 10.14393/BJ-v42n0a2026-79937. Available from: https://seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/view/79937.