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Case Reports
. 2023 May 17;15(5):e39156.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.39156. eCollection 2023 May.

Odontogenic Cutaneous Sinus Tract in a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report of a Rare Entity

Shojiro Hanaki  1 , Shuichi Katayama  1 , Yoshihisa Watanabe  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Odontogenic Cutaneous Sinus Tract in a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report of a Rare Entity

Shojiro Hanaki et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract (OCST) is defined as pulp necrosis caused by dental caries or trauma that forms a fistula on the body surface as a drainage channel for the infected pulp. OCST can be difficult to diagnose because subjective symptoms, such as pain in the affected tooth, may be minimal. In addition, lesions in the cervical region are extremely rare. In this report, we discuss the case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with inflammation, edema, and purulent exudation on the right neck. Her symptoms resembled those of lateral cervical cysts and fistulas. However, upon evaluation, she was diagnosed with OCST. Although OCST is an important differential diagnosis for head and neck lesions, it is often overlooked. OCST should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck masses and fistulas.

Keywords: cervical masses; children; odontogenic sinus tract; pediatric; dental caries.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preoperative appearance
Preoperative photograph of the extraoral appearance from the right mandible to the neck, showing inflammation, edema, and purulent exudation.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Preoperative images
(a) Ultrasonography showing a fistula extending from the skin to the mandible. (b) An axial CT scan showing fistula formation and associated inflammation. (c) A focal cortical bone defect in the mandibular right first molar, and interruption of the lingual cortex and periosteal reaction. (d) A panoramic radiograph showing an enlarged periodontal ligament and apical periodontitis in the mandibular right first molar, with osteosclerosis around it. (All indicated by arrows)
Figure 3
Figure 3. Intraoral photo
Intraoral photo showing the recurrent caries in the crown restoration of the mandibular right first molar (the arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Postoperative appearance
Photograph showing the postoperative appearance three months after surgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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