Cutaneous facial sinus tract of dental origin: a clinical case report

Abstract

A cutaneous sinus tract of dental origin is relatively uncommon and may be misdiagnosed easily. As specific dental symptoms are usually absent in such cases, patients typically first visit a physician for evaluation and treatment. These sinus tracts are most commonly found on the chin or in the submandibular area. However, all chronic draining sinus tracts of the face or neck should signal the need for thorough dental evaluation.1 A review of the literature reveals that these patients sometimes undergo multiple surgical excisions and biopsies before it is recognized that the origin of the sinus tract is the extension of pulp disease into the periradicular area. Systemic antibiotic therapy may be tried, but at best, this will only result in temporary cessation or diminution of the drainage, which will return after conclusion of the antibiotic therapy because the cause persists.