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Right-sided pyriform sinus fistula in an adult
T L Chow1, S H Lam, Adrian X N Lo
1Department of Surgery, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. tamlinc@yahoo.com
Insights
Pyriform sinus fistula, a rare cause of recurrent neck abscess, typically affects children on the left side. This case highlights successful surgical treatment of a right-sided fistula in an adult.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) is an uncommon congenital anomaly.
- It is a known cause of recurrent cervical abscesses, particularly in children.
- Most reported cases involve the left side of the neck.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of a right-sided pyriform sinus fistula.
- The affected individual was an adult, contrasting with the typical pediatric demographic.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of a neck abscess.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention was performed for the right-sided pyriform sinus fistula.
- The surgical treatment resulted in a successful outcome for the adult patient.
- The etiology of this rare presentation was also explored.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of pyriform sinus fistula presentation in adults.
- It underscores the importance of considering PSF in adult neck abscesses, even on the right side.
- Successful surgical management in adults suggests a viable treatment option.
Abstract:
Pyriform sinus fistula is important despite its rarity, as it can induce a recurrent neck abscess. Most of the reported cases occur in children and the majority affect only the left side. We report a patient with a pyriform sinus fistula of the right neck in an adult, which was successfully treated by surgery. The aetiology of this entity is also discussed herein.