Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare inflammatory disorder that primarily
affects children. Pathogenesis is still unknown. It is characterized by insidious onset
of pain, local bone expansion and radiological findings suggestive of osteomyelitis at
multiple sites. CRMO predominantly affects metaphyses of long bones but clavicle and
mandible are suggestive of diagnosis. CRMO is a diagnosis of exclusion. Differential diagnosis
includes infectious, malignancies, benign bone tumors, metabolic disorders and
other autoinflammatory disorders, so a biopsy of the bone lesion is required. NSAIDs are
the first-choice treatment. Alternative therapies have been used, including corticosteroids,
methotrexate, bisphosphonates and TNF alpha-inhibitors. The paper reports one case of
involvement of mandible, reviews the literature and describes the experience with CRMO
over the past ten years.
