Bone Sequestrum
Pronunciation: sek-WESS-trum
A fragment of necrotic bone that has become separated from the surrounding viable bone, typically seen in osteomyelitis or following radiotherapy.
Full Definition
A bone sequestrum (plural: sequestra) is a devitalised piece of cortical or cancellous bone that has separated from living bone as a result of infection (osteomyelitis), ischaemia, or radiation injury. In oral surgery, sequestra most commonly occur in the mandible and may present as loose, grey-white bone fragments visible at the mucosal surface. Their identification in operative notes, discharge summaries, and wound review letters is clinically significant. Editors should note the correct plural 'sequestra' and should not confuse the term with 'involucrum', which refers to the sheath of new bone that may form around the sequestrum.
Usage
Usage note: Use the Latin plural 'sequestra', not 'sequestrums'. Distinguish clearly from 'involucrum' (new bone surrounding a sequestrum) in pathology and radiology reports.
In Context
- "At wound review, a small bone sequestrum was identified at the extraction site and removed with forceps under local anaesthesia." — Post-operative review note
- "Radiographic examination revealed multiple sequestra within the mandibular body, consistent with chronic osteomyelitis." — Radiology report