title: Endoscopic chemical cautery of piriform sinus tracts: a safe new technique.
abstract: Piriform sinus tracts are thought to be of branchial origin and typically present with suppurative thyroiditis or a lateral neck mass. Endoscopic examination with direct visualization of the internal opening usually confirms the diagnosis. Complex external surgery with complete excision of the tract is the current standard of care. We report two cases of piriform sinus tracts which were managed with silver nitrate cautery of the internal opening. Post-operative closure of the opening was confirmed in one patient. This appears to be a safe and effective technique that eliminates the need for surgery and has not been previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 16 South Eutaw, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States. kevindpereira@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012835:Silver Nitrate