J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  1999 Nov;26(6):1182-1186.

Clinical experience of Dentocutaneous fistula treatment

• Kim NG
• Lee KS
• Kim JS
• Park JW
• Park SC

Abstract

Dentocutaneous fistula of the face neck is an infrequent manifestation of chronic dental infection. A periapical dental abscess may be initiated by disease, trauma, or thermal or chemical injury and develops into an extensive necrosis of surrounding tissue. Diagnostic errors can result in multiple excision, biopsies, and ineffective long-term antibiotic therapy. Awarness that periapical dental abscess is the most common etilolgic factor of cutaneous sinus tracts involves the face & neck will facilitate their early diagnosis and prevent needless treatment or anxiety for the patient. From 1994 to 1998, we have performed 6 cases of dentocutaneous fistula. Among of them, three were men and the others were women, age ranged from 18 to 66-year-old, and morbidity period was from 3 weeks to 3 years, the follow-up period ranged from 5 to 18 months (mean period 11 months). In conclusion, an understanding of the pathogenesis of cutaneous fistulae arising from dental infections will lead to proper early diagnosis and treatment without unnecessary surgery.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Aged
Anxiety
Biopsy
Cutaneous Fistula
Diagnostic Errors
Early Diagnosis
Female
Fistula*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Neck
Necrosis
Unnecessary Procedures