Pathological fractures of the mandible: A report of ten cases and a review of the literature

Badreddine Abir, Alae Guerrouani, Abdeljalil Abouchadi

Department of Plastic, Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Stomatology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.

DOI: 10.4236/ojst.2013.38070                

Abstract

Introduction: Pathological fractures of the mandible are rare. They account for approximately 2% of all mandibular fractures. The main purpose of the study is to report our experience concerning this condition and to analyse data and review the literature available. Material and methods: This study reviewed retrospectively the records of patients who presented to the department of Plastic and Maxillofacial surgery between 2000 and 2008 with a pathological fracture of the mandible. The collected data included age, sex, mechanism of injury, aetiology, anatomic site of fracture, treatment and complications. Results: There were 10 patients with an average age of 48 years and 10 months. There were three cases of fracture due to a local malignancy, two cases of osteoradionecrosis, two cases of mandibular cysts, one patient presenting a mandibular histiocytosis, one patient with a metastatic carcinoma (Thyroid), and one case related to mandibular atrophy. Most common mechanisms of injury were chewing and falls. Pathological fractures were often located in the body of the mandible. A surgical approach was performed in most cases. Conclusion: Surgical management of pathological fractures of the mandible depends largely on the aetiology. Complications occur more often because of local condition and bad oral hygiene.

Keywords

Mandibular Fracture; Pathological Fracture

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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