Osteomyelitis of maxilla - a rare presentation: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Osteomyelitis involving the maxillofacial skeleton is a rare entity today. In maxillofacial region mandible is more commonly involved as compared to maxilla. It continues to remain one of the most difficult to treat infections with considerable morbidity and costs to the healthcare system. Hallmark of osteomyelitis are progressive bony destruction and formation of sequestrum. When present, the possibility of underlying malignancy or granulomatous diseases should be kept in mind and ruled out. We present a rare case of osteomyelitis involving the maxilla in a 64 year old male diabetic. The patient was managed with sequestrectomy and debridement by infrastructure maxillectomy via a midfacial degloving approach, appropriate parentral antibiotic therapy and glycemic control. The patient had an uneventful recovery.