title: Usefulness of ultrasonography for rapidly diagnosing cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin are frequently misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated. Intraoral roentgenograms are valuable for diagnosing such tracts. Since these lesions are usually not accompanied by dental symptoms, patients tend initially to consult dermatologists or general physicians, who are not familiar with oral diseases or intraoral X-rays.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the usefulness of ultrasonography for detecting cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients who had skin lesions that were suspected of being cutaneous sinus tracts based on the findings of clinical and histological examinations were enrolled in this study. B mode and color Doppler ultrasonography were used to image the skin lesions in their entirety and to assess the associations between the subcutaneous lesions and any alveolar bone defects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In each case, ultrasonography depicted a hypoechoic band that originated from the cutaneous lesion and extended through the subcutaneous tissue to the alveolar bone. Bone loss was also observed, and color Doppler ultrasonography detected increased blood flow in the peripheral regions of the tracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, the patients' sinus tracts were rapidly detected using ultrasonography, which enabled appropriate treatment. Thus, ultrasonography is a convenient tool for diagnosing cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Chinatsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shobatake
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Takaya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukumoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Endoscopy and Ultrasound, Nara Medical University 840 Shijo, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: X-ray examination; alveolar bone; cutaneous sinus tract; dental abscess; dental origin; ultrasonography