Dental infection mimicking dermatological lesion: Three case reports of cutaneous fistulae and sinus tracts on face

Abstract

Cutaneous odontogenic fistulae or sinus tracts are commonly misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated, leading to unnecessary and excessive medications attributing to patient agony. An understanding of cutaneous sinus tracts and their drainage will guide to more appropriate treatment. The following clinical case reports present three patients with cutaneous sinus tracts on chin and jaw line, secondary to chronic periapical dental infection, which was misdiagnosed initially as dermatological lesion and was submitted to inappropriate dermatological treatment and antimicrobial therapy. Diagnosis, etiopathogenesis, and treatment in relation to patient history, clinical findings, and radiographic imaging are elaborated.

Keywords

• Dental abscess
• fistula
• odontogenic infection
• oro-facial fistula
• sinus tract