Abstract
Introduction
The osteopathology of the jaws associated with bone resorption inhibitors is a current topic that engages a variety of clinical specialists. This has increased after the approval of denosumab for treatment of osteoporosis and skeletal-related events in patients with solid malignancy. Early after the first publications, there is a possible connection between phosphorous necrosis of the jaws, a dreadful industrial disease mentioned, and bisphosphonate-induced pathology. The nineteenth century was the prime time for phosphorus necrosis of match factory workers.
Results
This occurrence provides an interesting insight into the medical and surgical profession in the nineteenth century. There are striking parallels and repetition of current and old ideas in the approach to this “new disease.” There are similar examples in case descriptions when compared with today’s patients of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ).
Discussion
Phosphorus necrosis was first described in Austria. Soon after this, surgeons in German-speaking countries including well-known clinicians Wegner (1872) and von Schulthess-Rechberg (1879) pioneered the analysis, preventative measures, and treatment of this disease. The tendency at this time was to approach BRONJ as a “special kind of osteomyelitis” in pretreated and metabolically different bone. Not only the treatment strategy to wait until sequestrum formation with subsequent removal and preventative measures but also the idea of focusing on the periosteum as the triggering anatomical structure may have been adopted from specialists in the nineteenth century. Therefore, phosphorous necrosis of the jaw is an excellent example of “learning from the past.”
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Marx RE (2003) Pamidronate (Aredia) and zoledronate (Zometa) induced avascular necrosis of the jaws: a growing epidemic. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 61:1115
Ruggiero SL, Dodson TB, Assael LA et al (2009) American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons position paper on bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws—2009 update. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67:2
Hellstein JW, Marek CL (2005) Bisphosphonate osteochemonecrosis (bis-phossy jaw): is this phossy jaw of the 21st century? J Oral Maxillofac Surg 63:682
Marx RE (2008) Uncovering the cause of “phossy jaw” circa 1858 to 1906: oral and maxillofacial surgery closed case files—case closed. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 66:2356
Lorinser FW: Necrose der Kieferknochen in Folge und Einwirkung von Phosphordämpfen. In Oesterreichisch Medizinisches Jahrbuch (ed. Wien 1945:257)
Hellstein JW, Marek CL (2004) Bis-phossy jaw, phossy jaw, and the 21st century: bisphosphonate-associated complications of the jaws. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 62:1563
Gendrin AN et al.: Recherches sur les maladies des ouvriers employes a la fabrication des allumetes chimiques. In Academie des Sciences (ed., 1846)
Meyer-Hofmeister JC: Die Phosphorzündholzfabriken des Cantons Züirch mit Rücksicht auf die in denselben beobachteten Gesundheitsverhältnisse der Arbeiter. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fr Medicin, Chirurgie und Geburtshilfe 1947
Myers ML, McGlothlin JD (1996) Matchmakers’ “phossy jaw” eradicated. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 57:330
Kocher T (1893) Zur Kenntnis der Phosphornekrose. Ministry of Trade and Agriculture, Switzerland
von Schulthess-Rechberg JA (1879) Über die Phosphornekrose und den Ausgang ihrer Behandlung. In Department of Surgery (ed. Zurich University of Zurich)
Hofmokl J (1871) Über die Resection des Ober- und Unterkiefers mit Rücksicht auf 88 darauf bezügliche Krankheitsfälle, welche auf der chirurgischen Klinik von Dumreichers 1852–1870 beobachtet und operirt worden sind. Medical Yearbooks, Vienna
Wegner G (1872) Einfluss des Phosphors auf den Organismus. Virchows Archiv. Bd. 55
Ali-Erdem M, Burak-Cankaya A, Cemil-Isler S et al (2011) Extraction socket healing in rats treated with bisphosphonate: animal model for bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of jaws in multiple myeloma patients. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 16:e879
Sonis ST, Watkins BA, Lyng GD et al (2009) Bony changes in the jaws of rats treated with zoledronic acid and dexamethasone before dental extractions mimic bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis in cancer patients. Oral Oncol 45:164
Reid IR, Bolland MJ, Grey AB (2007) Is bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by soft tissue toxicity? Bone 41:318
Bertoldo F, Santini D (2007) Lo Cascio V: Bisphosphonates and osteomyelitis of the jaw: a pathogenic puzzle. Nat Clin Pract Oncol 4:711
Kumar SKS, Gorur A, Schaudinn C et al (2010) The role of microbial biofilms in osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with bisphosphonate therapy. Curr Osteoporos Rep 8:40
Lesclous P, Abi Najm S, Carrel J-P et al (2009) Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: a key role of inflammation? Bone 45:843
Kassolis JD, Scheper M, Jham B, Reynolds MA (2010) Histopathologic findings in bone from edentulous alveolar ridges: a role in osteonecrosis of the jaws? Bone 47:127
Mawardi H, Giro G, Kajiya M et al (2011) A role of oral bacteria in bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw. J Dent Res 90:1339
Hirt L: Die äusseren Krankheiten der Arbeiter Leipzig 1878:117ff
Jacobsen C, Metzler P, Rossle M et al.: Osteopathology induced by bisphosphonates and dental implants: clinical observations. Clin Oral Investig 2012. doi:10.1007/s00784-012-0708-2
von Bibra E, Geist L: Die Krankheiten der Arbeiter in den Zündhlzfabriken, insbesondere das Leiden der Kieferknochen durch Phosphordämpfe. Vom chemisch-physiologischen, medicinischen-chirurgischen und medicinisch-polizeilichen Standpunkt bearbeitet. 1847
Fedele S, Porter SR, D'Aiuto F et al (2010) Nonexposed variant of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: a case series. Am J Med 123:1060
Haltenhoff G: De la periostite et de la necrose phosphorique. In Department of Surgery (ed. Zurich University of Zurich 1866)
Gevorgyan A, Enepekides DJ (2008) Bisphosphonate-induced necrosis of the jaws: a reconstructive nightmare. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 16:325
Lesky E (1966) Die Phosphornekrose, klassisches Beispiel einer Berufskrankeheit. Wien Klin Wochenschr 37:601
Brock G, Barker K, Butterworth CJ, Rogers S (2011) Practical considerations for treatment of patients taking bisphosphonate medications: an update. Dent Update 38:313
Fehm T, Felsenberg D, Krimmel M et al (2009) Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in breast cancer patients: recommendations for prevention and treatment. Breast 18:213
Ferlito S, Puzzo S, Liardo C (2011) Preventive protocol for tooth extractions in patients treated with zoledronate: a case series. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 69:e1
Conflict of interest
The authors do not have any conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The English in this document has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English. For a certificate, please see http://www.textcheck.com/certificate/gbqxzp.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jacobsen, C., Zemann, W., Obwegeser, J.A. et al. The phosphorous necrosis of the jaws and what can we learn from the past: a comparison of “phossy” and “bisphossy” jaw. Oral Maxillofac Surg 18, 31–37 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-012-0376-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-012-0376-z