Cutaneous sinus of dental origin: a diagnosis requiring clinical and radiologic correlation

Cutaneous sinuses may arise from chronic dental infections. These sinus tracts usually appear as suppurative lesions of the chin or neck. Diagnosis is made by palpating the lesion and by radiologic examination demonstrating periapical dental abscess. Treatment with dental extraction or root canal results in resorption of the inflammatory fistula. Since many patients with sinus tracts of dental origin do not have any complaints of tooth or mouth pain, the correct diagnosis may be overlooked by the unsuspecting clinician.