Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in a Patient Presenting With Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorder Treated With Rituximab: A Case Report

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare but potentially severe condition that can be induced by specific treatments. We report the case of a 69-year-old male kidney transplant recipient who presented with ONJ 5 years after transplantation. The patient presented with ulcerations of the oral mucosa related to post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder, which was treated with rituximab. Subsequently, ONJ developed. Although rituximab treatment cannot be firmly established as the cause of this condition, similar cases of ONJ have been reported after treatment with this monoclonal antibody. This case raises a potential link between rituximab treatment and ONJ and prompts further studies to investigate the potential impact of rituximab on bone angiogenesis. (C) 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons