Dentigerous cysts presenting as head and neck infections.
OBJECTIVE
To describe dentigerous cysts presenting as head and neck infections.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 327 charts with an admitting diagnosis of head and neck infection, deep neck space infection, and dentigerous cysts treated at a tertiary care hospital between 1975 and 2004.


RESULTS
Seven patients were identified who had dentigerous cysts that presented as head and neck infections. Six of these patients had recurrent infections at the same site and one was diagnosed with a submasseteric space abscess. The incidence of head and neck infections with dentigerous cysts as the underlying causative pathology was 2.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Head and neck infections with dentigerous cysts as underlying pathology are more common than perceived.


CONCLUSIONS
Typically not considered as sources of infection, dentigerous cysts must be considered in cases of head and neck infection.


METHODS
C.
Smith
Joseph L
JL
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Kellman
Robert M
RM
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology