In vivo tetracycline labeling of bone: an intraoperative aid in the surgical therapy of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006 Dec;102(6):e10-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.05.007. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

Abstract

In this technical approach, we demonstrate that preoperative tetracycline administration helps distinguish between viable and necrotic bone in osteoradionecrosis (ORN) during surgery by exciting tetracycline fluorescence by black light. The difficult aspect of the operative approach lies in the decision of the extent of the debridement in order to prevent an iatrogenic fracture or progression of ORN. With this technique, vital bone, in contrast to necrotic bone, showed detectable fluorescence. Therefore, tetracycline fluorescence labeling may be used in attempts to facilitate the intraoperative decision making in the surgical therapy of osteoradionecrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Diseases / etiology
  • Mandibular Diseases / metabolism
  • Mandibular Diseases / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / methods*
  • Osteoradionecrosis / etiology
  • Osteoradionecrosis / metabolism
  • Osteoradionecrosis / surgery*
  • Preoperative Care
  • Tetracycline*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Tetracycline