title: Odontogenic sinus tracts: a cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence,location, and distribution of sinus tracts in patients referred for endodontic consultation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cohort study included 1,119 subjects referred for endodontic consultation, 108 of whom presented with sinus tracts. Following clinical and radiographic examination, the diameter of the rarifying osteitis lesion on the radiograph was measured and the path and origin of the sinus tracts determined. Signs and symptoms, tooth site,buccal/lingual location, and diameter were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed using Pearson chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sinus tracts originated mainly from maxillary teeth (63.1%); only 38.9% originated from mandibular teeth. Chronic periapical abscess was the most prevalent diagnosed origin (71.0%). Broken restorations were highly associated with the presence of sinus tracts (53.0%). The most frequent site of orifices was buccal(82.4%), followed by lingual or palatal (12.0%). Orifices on the lingual aspect of the gingiva were observed in mandibularmolars. There was an 86.8% correlation between the occurrence of an apically located sinus tract and apical rarifying osteitis(P<.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sinus tract in the lingual or palatal aspect of the gingiva is relatively common. Practitioners should look for signs of sinus tract during routine examination
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Slutzky-Goldberg
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsesis
authors.forename: Hagay
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Slutzky
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003751:Dental Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000150:complications; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult