Evidence to support the hypothesis of tuberculosis as a cause of extreme osteonecrosis and osteomyelitis of the mandible in a West African population.

Maxillofacial tuberculosis (TB) is rare. The cases of 19 patients showing extreme bony destruction in the mandible, collected over a 3-month period in West Africa, are presented. Clinical, radiographic, and histological evidence indicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a possible cause. Further studies are in progress.