Head and Neck Osteomyelitis Team

Osteonecrosis is a disease caused by reduced blood flow to bones in the joints.

Osteoradionecrosis is a complication from radiation therapy to the head and neck that leads to bone death as healthy cells are also harmed during treatment.

Osteomyelitis in the head neck region can be caused by surgery, dental procedure, radiation, trauma/injury, chemotherapy, poor blood supply to the bone, infected tissue around the bone, infection in one part of the body going to head and neck bones, open head and neck bone, and medications.

Head and neck osteomyelitis are diagnosed by a combinational clinical evaluation, radiologic evaluation, and bone biopsy.

Signs and symptoms can be present as one symptom or combination of the following: Redness, pain, swelling, warmth, fever fatigue, fluid coming out from opening in the skin, mass.

Head and neck osteomyelitis can be treated by a single or combination of the following: Long-term antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, surgery, and medications.