Extraoral cutaneous sinus tracts of dental origin in the paediatric patient. A report of three cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: An extraoral sinus of odontogenic origin within the face and neck region is normally the consequence of long-standing chronic infection due to caries, trauma or periodontal infection. There is little reported literature on the prevalence of extraoral cutaneous sinus lesions in the paediatric dental patient as presentation is often delayed resulting in misdiagnosis and consequential mismanagement. CASE REPORT: The cases discussed concentrate on the aetiology, history, presentation and diagnosis of extraoral sinus lesions that presented in children referred to the Child Dental Health Department at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester over a six-month period. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of correct diagnosis and treatment management of an extra oral cutaneous sinus in the paediatric patient only occurred when the child attended a specialist led paediatric dental clinic for consultation.

A clinical report of Type III dens invaginatus: relevant aspects of a combined therapeutic approach.

Dens invaginatus is a developmental abnormality that alters dental morphology; as a result, treating this condition is a challenge for endodontic practices. This article describes how a combination of nonsurgical and surgical therapies was utilized to treat a maxillary central incisor with Type III dens invaginatus and vital pulp. The treatment plan included using computed tomography (CT) for a detailed analysis of the dental anatomy and periapical area, endodontic and surgical procedures, and a 4-year follow-up period that included periodic clinical and radiographic examinations. The follow-up examinations revealed a regression of the apical lesion and no other signs or symptoms. Based on the present case report, the authors concluded that this combination of surgical and nonsurgical approaches was effective and that CT is a valuable auxiliary tool for the study of dental anatomy.

Use of cone beam computed tomography in the diagnosis, planning and follow up of a type III dens invaginatus case.

AIM: To present the case of a maxillary left lateral incisor with Oehlers' type III dens invaginatus in which cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used as an adjunctive resource in the diagnosis as well as in the planning and 2-year follow-up of the nonsurgical/surgical treatment. SUMMARY: The tooth had two root canals: a primary (main) canal with vital pulp that appeared to be closed apically and an invaginated canal that was necrotic, wide-open at the portal of exit and associated with a large chronic periapical lesion extending to the apex of the maxillary left central incisor. Radiographic tracking of a sinus tract in the labial gingiva of the affected tooth with a gutta-percha point revealed its origin to be the invagination. The CBCT scans revealed that the periapical radiolucency was significantly larger than seen radiographically as well as an increased thickness of the buccal cortical plate. Conventional root canal treatment of the primary canal was undertaken. As nonsurgical access to the invaginated canal was not possible, endodontic surgery was performed for curettage of the lesion, root-end cavity preparation using ultrasonic tips and root canal filling with white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). CBCT scanning after 17 months and clinical and radiographic follow-up after 24 months revealed complete periapical repair and absence of symptoms. KEY LEARNING POINTS: The combination of nonsurgical and surgical treatments produced periapical repair in a tooth with type III dens invaginatus with two root canals. CBCT may aid the diagnosis as well as the management plan and follow-up of teeth with this developmental anomaly.

Endodontic-periodontal management of two rooted maxillary lateral incisor associated with complex radicular lingual groove by using spiral computed tomography as a diagnostic aid: a case report.

AIM: To present the successful endodontic and periodontal management of a two rooted maxillary lateral incisor tooth with a complex radicular lingual groove and severe periodontal destruction using spiral computed tomography as a diagnostic aid. SUMMARY: A 30-year-old male patient presented with a chief complaint of mobility and discharge of pus in an upper front tooth. Clinical examination revealed a sinus tract on the labial gingival surface and a 10-mm-deep periodontal pocket associated with maxillary left lateral incisor tooth. On the lingual side, a groove emerging from cingulum, continuing mesioapically down the lingual aspect of tooth was found. Intraoral periapical radiographs demonstrated a lateral periodontal defect around the mesial aspect and a diffuse radiolucency at the apex of maxillary left lateral incisor tooth. The sinus tract was traced with gutta-percha to the maxillary left lateral incisor that showed an accessory root surrounded by a large radiolucent area. A spiral computed tomographic scan for better understanding of the complicated root canal morphology of the tooth was performed. Based on the clinical, radiographic and spiral computed tomographic findings, a diagnosis of an endo-perio lesion in tooth 22 was made. Management consisted of conventional root canal treatment, radiculoplasty, root resection of accessory root and surgical curettage of the periodontal defect. Follow-up with radiographic examination at 3 months and 1 year was performed. At 1-year recall, the patient was asymptomatic, there was no evidence of the sinus tract and a 3-mm nonbleeding pocket was present in relation to tooth 22. Progression of hard tissue healing was observed in the periapical radiograph taken 1 year postoperatively. KEY LEARNING POINTS: The key to achieving favourable results in this particular type of developmental anomaly is accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The health of the periapical osseous tissues appears to be the provital factor for tooth retention. A favourable outcome can only be achieved with a comprehensive treatment approach that effectively manages all local factors that are contributing to the disease process.

Clinical management of dens invaginatus in a maxillary lateral incisor with the aid of cone-beam computed tomography--a case report.

This report describes non-surgical endodontic treatment of Oehlers' type III dens invaginatus in a maxillary lateral incisor with the aid of postobturation cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The endodontic treatment was initiated with the aid of a surgical operating microscope, and two canals, one of which represented the invagination, were instrumented, irrigated under passive ultrasonic activation and obturated with the lateral condensation technique. As postobturation periapical radiographs suggested the presence of untereated and/or unfilled areas in the root canal and invagination, CBCT was taken to assess the possibility of further treatment. The CBCT scans demonstrated inaccessible and unfilled canal and invagination areas because of complex internal morphology characterized by (i) C- or ring-shaped cross-sectional canal configuration with constrictions at different points in different root levels and (ii) a prominent intraradicular cavity that was communicated with the enamel-lined invagination and opened into the apical periodontium. Thus, it was judged that further endodontic treatment was not feasible. A 14-month follow-up revealed a satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcome, suggesting that the chemomechanical debridement may have sufficed to induce periapical healing. CBCT greatly helped the decision of avoiding further intervention that could have been difficult to negotiate.

Diagnostic ability of computed tomography using DentaScan software in endodontics: case reports.

Radiographic examination is essential in diagnosis and treatment planning in endodontics. Conventional radiographs depict structures in two dimensions only. The ability to assess the area of interest in three dimensions is advantageous. Computed tomography is an imaging technique which produces three-dimensional images of an object by taking a series of two-dimensional sectional X-ray images. DentaScan is a computed tomography software program that allows the mandible and maxilla to be imaged in three planes: axial, panoramic, and cross-sectional. As computed tomography is used in endodontics, DentaScan can play a wider role in endodontic diagnosis. It provides valuable information in the assessment of the morphology of the root canal, diagnosis of root fractures, internal and external resorptions, pre-operative assessment of anatomic structures etc. The aim of this article is to explore the clinical usefulness of computed tomography and DentaScan in endodontic diagnosis, through a series of four cases of different endodontic problems.

Indirect pulp therapy: an alternative to pulpotomy in primary teeth.

Preservation of the primary teeth until their normal exfoliation is essential for normal oral function and facial growth of the child. To that end, treatment of primary teeth with large carious lesions approximating the pulp should be aimed at preserving the tooth. Currently, the pulpotomy is the most frequently used pulp treatment for cariously involved primary teeth. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the use of an alternative to the pulpotomy, indirect pulp therapy (IPT), for the treatment of vital, primary teeth with carious involvement approaching the pulp. Accurate diagnosis of the vitality status of the pulp is critical to the success of IPT and involves careful radiographic and clinical assessment of the teeth to be sure they are healthy or at worst, reversibly inflamed. The indications for IPT are the same as for pulpotomy. The technique involves one appointment, requires that some carious dentin be left to avoid pulp exposure and requires the placement of a biologically sealing base and sealing final restoration. Teeth treated with IPT have success rates at least as good as those treated with pulpotomies, and IPT offers an acceptable alternative to pulpotomy as a treatment for vital, asymptomatic, cariously involved primary teeth.

Conservative treatment of patients with periapical lesions associated with extraoral sinus tracts.

This paper describes the clinical courses of three cases with extra-oral sinus tract formation, from diagnosis and treatment to short-term follow-up and evaluation. All teeth involved had periradicular radiolucent areas noted on radiographic examination and extra-oral sinus tracts appearing on the chin with exudation and unpleasant aesthetic appearance. The adopted treatment protocol included treating the sinus tract surface simultaneously with the root canal therapy. After root canal shaping using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution, calcium hydroxide-based pastes associated with different vehicles were inserted into the root canal for 4 months, and were changed monthly. All the sinus tracts healed in 7 to 10 days. The apical lesions were completely repaired in a maximum period of 24 months. The treatment adopted provided a complete healing of the periapical lesions in a short follow-up period. Surgical repair of the cutaneous sinus tract was therefore unnecessary.

Draining orocutaneous fistula associated with a failing subperiosteal implant: report of a case.

The use of mandibular subperiosteal implants was first reported by Dahl in the 1940s. It was followed by a more comprehensive report by Goldberg and Gershkoff, who published the first case series in the United States. We describe a case of an orocutaneous fistula that developed secondary to a chronic infection attributed to a failing subperiosteal implant. Elemental analysis of the metal framework revealed an implant composed of mainly a cobalt-chromium alloy. Cobalt, which was frequently used in subperiosteal implant manufacturing, is associated with a higher corrosion rate than other metals and is no longer used to fabricate subperiosteal implants. The strength of subperiosteal implants is their ability to be used in a mandible with an atrophic alveolar ridge. Unfortunately, this feature of the hardware is also its weakness in that reconstructive procedures after their removal are difficult. The failing subperiosteal implant in our patient was subsequently removed, and primary closure of the intraoral wound and extraoral fistula as well as resolution of the patient's symptoms was obtained with no lasting complications.

A case of nasal septal abscess caused by medication related osteonecrosis in breast cancer patient.

Antiresorptive drugs have been widely used to treat patients with hypercalcemia caused by malignancy, bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, and osteoporosis. However, it is well known that antiresorptive drugs can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Herein, we report a rare case of nasal septal abscess caused by medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in a breast cancer patient. A 69-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for evaluation of nasal obstruction. Physical examination revealed a cherry-like swelling of the nasal mucosa emanating from the septum that obstructed both nasal cavities and a fistulous tract showing pus discharge after extraction of the bilateral maxillary central incisors (MCI) and the right maxillary lateral incisor (MLI). Computed tomography and panoramic radiography revealed extensive osteonecrosis of the maxilla and swelling of the nasal mucosa. The clinical diagnosis was nasal septal abscess caused by osteonecrosis of the maxilla. Surgical procedure was undertaken for this case. An indwelling drain was placed in the oral cavity, and sequestrectomy was performed with incision and drainage of the anterior portion of left nasal septum. The patient was doing well at the 7-month follow-up. The patient had a medical history of breast cancer with bone, lung, liver metastases, and had received intravenous bisphosphonate, which is one of the antiresorptive medicines, over the past 4 years. We suspect that this history played an important role in MRONJ induced nasal septal abscess.

[Cutaneous sinus tract due to an asymptomatic dental infection]. / Fisteldannelse i huden som følge af enubehandlet asymptomatisk tandinfektion.

Pyogenic cutaneous lesions of the cervicofacial region may have a variety of causes but one possibility that should be considered is a cutaneous sinus tract (CST) of dental origin. Correct diagnosis is based on a high index of suspicion and radiologic evidence of a dental pathology. Patients with odontogenic CST should be referred to a dentist and the treatment consists of either endodontic therapy or extraction of the involved tooth. We present a case report with misdiagnosis of CST of dental origin.

Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract associated with a mandibular second molar having a rare distolingual root: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tracts are often misdiagnosed as lesions of non-odontogenic origin, leading to the treatment of patients with unnecessary and ineffective therapies. Sinus tracts of endodontic origin usually respond well to endodontic therapy. However, root canal treatment of mandibular molars with aberrant canal anatomy can be diagnostically and technically challenging. Herein we present a patient with a cutaneous odontogenic sinus tract in the right submandibular area. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old Chinese female patient presented with a cutaneous odontogenic sinus tract that was initially misdiagnosed as a sebaceous cyst. The patient had undergone surgical excision and traditional Chinese medical therapy before endodontic consultation. With the aid of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), it was confirmed that the causative factor of the cutaneous odontogenic sinus tract was chronic periapical periodontitis of the right mandibular second molar, which had a rare and curved distolingual root. The resolution of the sinus tract and apical healing was accomplished following nonsurgical root canal treatment. CONCLUSION: A dental aetiology must be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous sinus tracts in the neck and face. Elimination of odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract infection by endodontic therapy results in resolution of the sinus tract without surgical excision or systemic antibiotic therapy. This case report also indicates that CBCT imaging is useful for identifying the tooth involved, ascertaining the extent of surrounding bone destruction and accurately managing the aberrant canal morphology.

Patent odontogenic sinus tract draining to the midline of the submental region: report of a case.

We report a case of a 65-year-old woman with a cutaneous sinus tract located on the midline of the submental region secondary to a periapical abscess of the right lateral mandibular incisor. The lesion was nodulocystic and chronically drained purulent fluid. Previous topical and systemic treatments were uneffective. Radiologic examination of the mandible demonstrated diffuse radiolucency involving the apices of four affected incisors. A further radiologic sinogram revealed both the exact origin and the high grade patency of the fistolous tract. Appropriate conservative endodontic therapy led to quick resolution of the sinus tract within sixteen days. In the presence of a single chronic suppurative or nodulocystic lesion of the face, it is always useful to perform a radiologic evaluation of the maxillary and mandibular regions to promptly exclude a possible odontogenic background.

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.