Sinus tracts to the chin and jaw of dental origin

This is a report of seven patients with cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin who were seen in the past 10 years at the Mayo Clinic. Cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin most commonly present on the chin or the mandibular region as nodulocystic lesions with suppuration. The lesion may be confused with pyogenic granuloma, foreign body reaction, deep fungal infection, squamous cell carcinoma, or osteomyelitis. However, if the lesion is suspected of being of dental origin, the diagnosis is easily confirmed by dental examination and dental roentgenograms of the involved area. Once the correct diagnosis has been made, treatment by appropriate endodontic therapy leads to prompt resolution of the sinus tract. This is an uncommon disease but one for which a high degree of alertness must be maintained when one sees a nodulocystic or ulcerative lesion of the face.