Conservative treatment of a pathologic fracture in a patient with Gorham-Stout disease

Abstract

Gorham-Stout disease, or massive osteolysis, is an extremely rare idiopathic condition characterized by spontaneous, localized relentless resorption of one or several contiguous bones. There is no known successful treatment. Autologous bone graft also resorbs. It is a condition with difficult diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. We report an extreme case of massive osteolysis of the maxillofacial complex. Unique to this case is that the patient presented with a mandibular fracture, and was taking alendronate (Fosamax), one of the treatment options for patients with Gorham-Stout disease. We discuss our treatment and add to the growing list of patients who have presented with this devastating disease.