Osteomyelitis of the mandible.

The presenting characteristics and clinical courses of 60 patients with mandibular bone infections are described. Fifteen of the patients had posttraumatic osteomyelitis, 13 had odontogenic osteomyelitis, and 28 had osteoradionecrosis. Most infections (93%) were polymicrobial, and anaerobes played an important role. Types of surgical procedures and use of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen are described. There were minimal differences in presentation or response to treatment between these four different groups. A clinical staging system for mandibular bone infections is proposed and results of treatment are retrospectively analyzed by stage. The results support the concept that initial treatment planning can be safely and successfully based on the stage of the disease.