The Maxillofacial Center for Diagnostics & Research

Radiographic Changes in Maxillofacial Osteonecrosis

Note: Enlarged versions of each photo may be available by clicking on the left-hand image.  These are larger jpeg files but should not take too long to download.

		Hollow Tuberosity The maxillary tuberosity is one of the most likely areas to be affected by ischemia and infartion, probably because its blood supply is like that of an end-artery region.  Often the surgeon finds the entire tuberosity to be hollow, as was the case here.  Careful observation of the photo on the left will show a semicircle of radiolucency with the posterior wall of the tuberosity acting as the diameter or straight line of the semicircle, i.e. the circle faces toward the left.
	Patient with trigeminal neuralgia, CN V2.
		Regional Osteoporosis This left mandibular third molar extraction site (tooth extracted 32 years previously) shows a poorly demarcated, subtle loss of trabeculae with the anterior margin showing a slight scalloping with a very thin and irregular sclerotic rim.  The entire area was filled with mushy, oily marrow.
	Patient without pain.