Maxillary osteomyelitis in Albers-Schönberg disease: A rare presentation

Abstract

Osteopetrosis (Albers-Schönberg disease) is a rare congenital disorder in which the bones become overly dense. This results from an imbalance between the formation of bone and the breakdown of bone. Osteomyelitis is well-documented as a complication of osteopetrosis. Decreased vascularity of the involved bones predisposes the patient to the development of osteomyelitis. Several case reports have been published of infectious complications affecting the mandible but maxillary infection is quite rare. This discusses a case of osteopetrosis with maxillary osteomyelitis as a complication in a 13-year-old boy.

Keywords

• Maxilla
• osteomyelitis
• osteopetrosis