Reactive post-radiotherapy bone formation in the maxilla.

OBJECTIVE

High-dose radiation therapy affects bone metabolism, and therefore post-radiotherapy bone formation is an uncommon finding. This case describes an unusual ossification in the maxillary region identified after head and neck radiotherapy.

RESULTS

A 45-year-old female patient was submitted to maxillary surgical resection and orbital exenteration due to squamous cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy post-surgery was performed because of compromised surgical margins. After 4 months of the conclusion of radiotherapy, the patient presented a bone exposition at surgical site. Surprisingly, the oral examination and computed tomography revealed a new formation of the right palatine vault and bone formation filling the nasal and orbital cavity. The incisional biopsy discarded residual disease or osteoradionecrosis and showed normal tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of wide bone formation as an early effect of head and neck radiotherapy.