Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis: analogy  to phossy jaw

Donoghue, A Michael

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06970.x

Topics

To the Editor: Osteonecrosis of the jaw, recently reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates, may be analogous to the historic occupational disease “phossy jaw”.1,2

Corporate Office, Alcoa World Alumina Australia, PO Box 252, Applecross, WA 6953.

Correspondence: michael.donoghue@alcoa.com.au

1. Carter G, Goss AN, Doecke C. Bisphosphonates and avascular necrosis of the jaw: a possible association. Med J Aust 2005; 182: 413-415. <MJA full text>
2. Purcell PM, Boyd IW. Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Med J Aust 2005; 182: 417-418. <MJA full text>
3. Hope EW, Hanna W, Stallybrass CO. Industrial hygiene and medicine. London: Bailliere, Tindall and Cox, 1923.
4. Legge T. Industrial maladies. London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1934.
5. Hunter D. Occupational diseases. Lecture II. Phosphorus, mercury, silver, manganese, metal fume fever, nickel carbonyl, infections, anthrax, glanders, weils disease, ankylostomiasis, cysticercosis, deficiency diseases. Lond Hosp Gaz 1935; 39: 25-50.
6. Hamilton A. Exploring the dangerous trades. Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1943.

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