Rare Case of Maxillary Osteomyelitis: A Confluence of Sinusitis, Dental Caries, COVID-19, and Diabetes

Abstract

In the realm of maxillofacial medicine, osteomyelitis, a disorder marked by inflammation of the bone and bone marrow, presents serious challenges. Even though the medical community is aware of this disorder, it is relatively prevalent, especially in developing nations like India, to occur in the maxillofacial skeleton, primarily the mandible. Since the maxilla has a large collateral blood flow, thin cortical bones, and strutted bone marrow that reduces infection risk, it tends to occur more frequently in the mandible, than the maxilla. Owing to the rarity of maxillary osteomyelitis, a thorough study into the illness's potential underlying causes is necessary for a definite diagnosis. A severe infection usually requires an immunocompromised state, even in those impacted by these potential causes. Antimicrobial therapy and debridement, along with the management of ensuing dead space and bone stability, are among the susceptibilities and treatments. Here, we describe a rare instance of maxillary osteomyelitis in an older patient with a weakened immune system, highlighting our approach.