[An unusual lateral cervico-facial fistula]

Lateral cervical sinuses of fistula are usually derivatives of the branchial clefts and pouches and have a more or less typical course in the neck. We present a patient with an extremely long sinus extending from the left supraclavicular area, via the cheek up to the left infraorbital rim. We could not find a similar report in literature. The diagnostic evaluation as well as the successful surgical removal of the malformation through a skin incision in the neck and a second incision in the sulcus gingivobucalis are described. On the basis of a brief review in the embryology of the congenital anomalies of the neck and face some considerations about the possible origin of the cervico-facial sinuses are discussed.