Dental infection simulating skin lesion

• Published in: Anais brasileiros de dermatología Vol. 87; no. 4; pp. 619 - 621
• Main Authors: Abuabara, Allan, Schramm, Celso Alfredo, Zielak, João César, Baratto-Filho, Flares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 01-07-2012
• Subjects: Adult; Cutaneous Fistula - diagnosis; Cutaneous Fistula - etiology; Dental Fistula - diagnosis; Dental Fistula - etiology; Dental Pulp Necrosis - complications; DERMATOLOGY; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Periapical Abscess - complications; Fístula cutânea; Infecção focal dentária; Cutaneous fistula; Skin diseases; Endodontics; Fistula; Focal infection, dental; Endodontia; Dermatopatias
• ISSN: 0365-0596; 1806-4841; 1806-4841; 0365-0596
• DOI: 10.1590/S0365-05962012000400017

Orocutaneous fistulas or cutaneous sinus, a tract of dental origin, is an uncommon but well-documented condition that usually requires emergency treatment. Such condition may be misdiagnosed by physicians and dentists and may sometimes be confused with bone and skin tumor, osteomyelitis, congenital fistula, salivary gland fistula, pyogenic granuloma, infected cyst, deep mycotic infection, and other pathologies. A case of facial sinus tract that was initially misdiagnosed by a physician as a nonodontogenic lesion is presented. Nonsurgical endodontic therapy was the treatment of choice for this case. Facial cutaneous sinus tracts must be considered of dental origin. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment minimize patient discomfort and esthetic problems, reducing the possibility of further complications such as sepsis and osteomyelitis.