title: Cutaneous sinus tract of dental origin in children-a report of 28 new cases.
abstract: Little is known about the characteristics of cutaneous sinus tract (CST) of dental origin in children. 28 cases of CST of dental origin in children were evaluated. Age, sex, site of skin lesion, duration until diagnosis, teeth involved, etiology, treatment, and outcome were recorded. The last dental care visit was also recorded. The mean age was 10.25 years (range 4-16). The male to female ratio was 1:1.74. The mandibular-submandibular area was the most common site of skin lesions. The mandibular first molar was the most involved tooth, followed by the mandibular incisor. Caries was the most common etiology. The mean duration of lesions until correct diagnosis was 6.5 months (range 0.3-12 mos). The treatment was root canal therapy or extraction. After appropriate dental treatment, CSTs resolve rapidly. Surgical revision of the scars were indicated in eight (29%) patients, to provide better cosmetic results. In these patients, the duration of lesions were longer. Preventive dental care, as indicated by last dental care visit, was poor. CST in children is different from that in adults in terms of sites of skin lesions, duration of lesions, and involved tooth and similar to that in adults in terms of etiology and treatment modality. Early treatment of the dental infection may cause healing of the cutaneous lesion spontaneously, without a scar.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel. lbodner@bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Lipa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bodner
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manor
authors.forename: Ben Zion
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Joshua
authors.forename: Jozsef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barabas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szabo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003751:Dental Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents