title: Cutaneous sinuses of cervicofacial region: a clinical study of 200 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the sinuses in the cervicofacial region and to identify the focus of infection. It is also to help the clinician in differentiating the sinuses' of odontogenic and nonodontogenic focus of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study has been conducted in 200 patients, aged between 11 and 77 years for a period of 6 and a half years at Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore. History of present illness, clinical, radiological and laboratory examinations were carried out on all the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of the cervical sinuses are of odontogenic origin (80%) and non-odontogenic being (20%) of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature reveals that many cases have been misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated by many specialties of Medicine and Surgery wherein the odontogenic foci of infection is the main etiological factor for cervicofacial sinuses. A proper diagnosis is important and forms a key to the successful management of these sinuses in the head and neck region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddypalem, Nellore, 524003 Andhra Pradesh India.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kishore Kumar
authors.forename: Sathya Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Devireddy
authors.forename: Raja Sekhar
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gali
authors.forename: Nemaly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaithanyaa
authors.forename: Chitra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chakravarthy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kumarvelu
keywords: Cutaneous sinuses; Odontogenic infection; Osteomyelitis; Parotid fistula