Odontogenic Cutaneous Fistula: A Zombie Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic cutaneous fistula (OCF) is a pathologic communication between the cutaneous surface of the face and oral cavity. Majority of oral cutaneous fistulas are reported to arise from chronic dental infection. Delay in treatment may result in chronic tissue injury as well as cosmetic deformities. Lesions are often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed management. Misdiagnosis may be the result of the variability of clinical morphological presentation and location of lesions compounded by the lack of knowledge that these lesions can have dental etiology. It is estimated that half of patients with OCF undergo multiple dermatologic surgical operations, antibiotic regimens, and other excisions and biopsies before a correct diagnosis is made. Herein, we present a systematic review to detail cases of odontogenic cutaneous lesions that had been previously misdiagnosed or managed inappropriately. In addition, we include a case report from our own institution. The aims are to demonstrate various presentations of OCF, increase awareness of plastic surgeons and oral maxillofacial surgeons to this pathological condition, and reinforce the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from January 1, 2013 to July 24, 2023. The following search terms were utilized: "odontogenic cutaneous fistula" OR "odontogenic cutaneous sinus." RESULTS: Twenty-three articles published between 2013 and 2023 were included in this review. In addition, we report a case from our own institution. A total of 28 cases were included in the review. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of OCF is challenging for numerous reasons. Misdiagnosis can lead to multiple trials of antibiotics and surgical procedures as well as reoccurrence of the lesion. Cases summarized highlight the importance of communication between oral maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, other medical subspecialists, and dentists in the evaluation of patients with head and neck lesions. Physicians should consider dental etiology in the differential diagnosis of orofacial skin lesions, even if teeth appear normal on oral examination.

Ovarian tumour-cutaneous fistula as a primary presentation of pelvic malakoplakia coexisting with a benign ovarian tumour mimicking advanced ovarian cancer.

Malakoplakia is a rare granulomatous, chronic inflammatory disease generally affecting the urogenital organs, though it can arise in other organs. The clinical manifestations of malakoplakia vary depending on the affected organ. The final diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies on pathology. This report describes a case of pelvic malakoplakia accompanied by an ovarian tumour-cutaneous fistula, initially misdiagnosed as advanced ovarian cancer invading the anterior abdominal wall with left pleural effusion based on imaging studies and increased serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9. The patient underwent left thoracentesis and fluid collection from the fistula tract for cytology, which showed no malignancy. She underwent primary debulking surgery, including removal of the fistula tract from anterior abdominal wall. Histopathological examination revealed malakoplakia coexisting with mucinous cystadenoma of the left ovary. For postoperative management, she received prolonged oral antibiotics for 6 months. There was no evidence of disease recurrence at the 24-month follow-up.

Vesicocutaneous fistula at site of closed suprapubic tube tract as the first presenting sign of giant bladder stone.

Bladder stones represent approximately 5% of all cases of urolithiasis and are typically identified and managed long before causing irreversible renal injury. We present a case of a man in his 40s with a prior history of a gunshot wound to the abdomen who presented with leakage from a previously healed suprapubic tube tract and was found to have a giant bladder stone with a resulting renal injury. He subsequently underwent a combined open cystolithotomy and vesicocutaneous fistulotomy during his hospitalisation, which helped to improve his renal function. In addition to there being few reported cases of bladder stones >10 cm, this represents the first report in the literature of an associated decompressive 'pop-off' mechanism through a fistulised tract.

Early detection of pharyngocutaneous fistulae after total laryngectomy by cytokine in drainage: A pilot study (DEFILAC).

BACKGROUND: The determination of cytokines in the postoperative drainage (POD) fluid could be a method for early detection of the development of a pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective two-center study involving 28 patients. PODs were collected on Day 1 (D1) and Day 2 (D2) postoperatively for determination of a cytokine panel and cytobacteriological examination. RESULTS: Eleven (39%) patients presented with PCF on average 13 ± 5.5 days after surgery. Patients with PCF had higher IL-10 (121 vs. 40.3, p = 0.04, effect size (ES) = 0.98 [0.16, 1.79]) and TNFα level (21.2 vs. 2.2, p = 0.02, ES = 0.83 [0.03, 1.63]) on D2. An IL-10 threshold of 72 pg/mL on D2 was diagnostic of the occurrence of PCF with a sensibility of 70%, specificity of 88%. CONCLUSION: The determination of cytokines in POD fluid on D2 is a reliable tool for predicting the development of a PCF after total laryngectomy.

Water soluble swallow for leak detection after total laryngectomy post radiotherapy.

AIM: Pharyngeal leak (PL) and pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) are serious complications following total laryngectomy and their incidence is higher in the salvage setting. The aim of this study is to describe the accuracy of water soluble swallow (WSS) to rule out salivary postoperative leak after salvage total laryngectomy (STL) to expedite start of oral intake. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study including patients undergoing STL between 2008 and 2021 at Guy's Hospital. WSS was routinely performed within 15 days post operation. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients underwent STL. Nine developed clinically diagnosed PCF; one died before having WSS. Fifty-six patients underwent WSS post STL. WSS was performed within 15 days after STL when no postoperative complications occurred (76.8%). Among patients undergoing WSS with no clinical suspicion for fistula (56), PL was identified in 15 cases (26.8%). They were managed conservatively; PCF was avoided in 7(46.7%) cases. Three patients (7.3%) developed PCF after having started oral intake with a negative WSS. These three cases were further analysed, 2 cases where recorded at the beginning of the studied period when less experience was available possibly leading to incorrect results. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for fistula prediction were 72.7% and 92.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the high NPV of WSS, it is safe to start oral intake after negative WSS. Further studies to evaluate its accuracy earlier on after SLT are justified taking into account the results and the impact that delayed feeding has on patient's quality of life.

Predictive value of procalcitonin level for pharyngocutaneous fistula after laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is among the most common postoperative infective complications following laryngectomy. Its diagnosis is often late and identified only after the formation of an abnormal, bacterial infection-harboring fistula track between the pharynx and the skin. This study was aimed at determining whether procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and neutrophil percentage are good predictors of PCF. METHODS: We prospectively analysed 65 consecutive patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Clinicodemographic, surgical, and body mass index data were collected. Data on serum levels of PCT, WBC, CRP, and neutrophils were obtained before surgery and on postoperative days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 by immunofluorescence, immune turbidimetry, and automatic blood analyzer. The area under the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for each marker. RESULTS: There were 65 patients with a mean age of 60.34 years. The PCF occurrence rate was 18.46 % (12/65). Serum levels of PCT and CRP determined on postoperative day 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 after surgery were higher in patients with PCF (P < 0.01). PCT level was identified as a good predictor area under the curve (AUC) > 0.800 on postoperative days 2, 4, and 6. Considering the sensitivity and specificity, the best combination was PCT on postoperative days 4, which with a cutoff level of 0.12 µg/L showed 91.67 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin can predict PCF following laryngectomy. PCT > 0.12 µg/L on postoperative day 4 was a reliable predictor of PCF. This may help guide postoperative antibiotic management.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las fístulas cutáneas odontogénicas: revisión sistemática / Diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic cutaneous sinus tracts: a systematic review

Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica en relación con las variantes de tratamien-to que recibieron las piezas dentarias permanentes asociadas a la presencia de una fístula cutánea. Se incluyeron reportes de casos clínicos en inglés, pu-blicados en los últimos diez años. Se obtuvieron 481 artículos, 359 excluidos por escasez de datos en títu-lo e incumplimiento de criterios de selección. Se ex-cluyeron 89 por carecer de tratamiento. Se incluye-ron 33 artículos. Se analizaron fístulas de 45 piezas dentarias, superiores e inferiores, anteriores y pos-teriores. En base a los resultados obtenidos se llegó a la conclusión de que las fístulas cutáneas faciales de origen odontogénico se diagnostican de manera errónea; esto conduce a un tratamiento inadecuado y secuela estéticas. Realizar un correcto diagnóstico y adecuado plan de tratamiento permite una curación rápida y predecible. Los hallazgos obtenidos estable-cen que realizar un correcto tratamiento endodóntico en la pieza afectada, es la terapéutica adecuada para lograr el cierre definitivo de la fístula, sin necesidad de tratar quirúrgicamente la misma (AU)

A systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out in relation to the variants of treatment received by permanent teeth associated with the presence of a cutaneous sinus tract. Clinical case reports in English, published in the last ten years, were included. A total of 481 articles were obtained, 359 were excluded due to lack of title data and non-compliance with selection criteria. 89 were excluded due to lack of treatment. 33 articles were included Cutaneous sinus tracts of 45 teeth, upper and lower, anterior and posterior, were analyzed. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that facial cutaneous sinus tracts of odontogenic origin are misdiagnosed, leading to inadequate treatment and aesthetic sequelae. Carrying out a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment plan allows a quick and predictable healing. The findings obtained establish that performing a correct endodontic treatment in the affected piece is the appropriate therapy to achieve the definitive closure of the cutaneous sinus tract, without the need to surgically treatment (AU)

Association of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula With Cancer Outcomes in Patients After Laryngectomy: A Multicenter Collaborative Cohort Study.

Importance: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) results in an inflammatory reaction, but its association with the rate of locoregional and distant control, disease-free survival, and overall survival in laryngeal cancer remains uncertain. Objective: To determine if pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage laryngectomy is associated with locoregional and distant control, disease-free survival, and/or overall survival. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter collaborative retrospective cohort study conducted at 5 centers in Canada and the US of 550 patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy for recurrent laryngeal cancer from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2014. The median follow-up time was 5.7 years (range, 0-18 years). Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes examined included locoregional and distant control, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Fine and Gray competing risk regression and Cox-proportional hazard regression models were used for outcomes. Competing risks and the Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate outcomes at 3 years and 5 years. Results: In all, 550 patients (mean [SD] age, 64 [10.4] years; men, 465 [85%]) met inclusion criteria. Pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in 127 patients (23%). The difference in locoregional control between the group of patients with PCF (75%) and the non-PCF (72%) group was 3% (95% CI, -6% to 12%). The difference in overall survival between the group with PCF (44%) and the non-PCF group (52%) was 8% (95% CI, -2% to 20%). The difference in disease-free survival between PCF and non-PCF groups was 6% (95% CI, -4% to 16%). In the multivariable model, patients with PCF were at a 2-fold higher rate of distant metastases (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.27). Distant control was reduced in those with PCF, a 13% (95% CI, 3% to 21%) difference in 5-year distant control. Conclusions and Relevance: This multicenter retrospective cohort study found that development of PCF after salvage laryngectomy is associated with an increased risk for the development of distant metastases.

Urine in the thigh, an extraordinary complication of pelvic fracture: Vesicocutaneous fistula.

We present a case of a 67-year-old woman who was initially treated conservatively for pelvic fracture. After 4 weeks, she was admitted to our clinic with swelling and pain in the distal part of her right thigh. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed accumulation of fluid between the subcutaneous adipose tissue and fascia. Urine was detected by a puncture. Bladder injury was detected in the left anterolateral wall using computed tomography. A fistula tract was observed from the right side of the bladder neck in cystogram, which confirmed the diagnosis of vesicocutaneous fistula. Bladder drainage was achieved using a urethral catheter, and the fistula was closed without any complication. The control cystogram showed healing of the bladder. All the patients with pelvic fractures should be evaluated by urine analysis and examined for associated urethral or bladder injury using retrograde urethrography and cystography.

Odontogenic Cutaneous Fistula: A Case in Aged Patient With Delayed Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT: Odontogenic cutaneous fistula is a pathologic communication between the cutaneous surface of the face and the oral cavity and it is a rare entity frequently misdiagnosed.Therefore, the lesion may persist for a long period before the correct diagnosis is made and odontogenic source is treated appropriately. Delay in diagnosis adds to the chronicity of the lesion and if not diagnosed in times fistula can even leave deforming scars.Considering the scarceness and diagnostic predicament of odontogenic cutaneous fistulas, the authors report a significant case of 80 years old female.

Complexities of an uncomplicated symptom: two cases of umbilical discharge.

A 10-year-old boy presented with a low volume feculent umbilical discharge associated with fever and anorexia. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a complex fistula communicating with multiple small bowel loops and extensive peritoneal nodules with caseous mesenteric lymph nodes; suggestive of abdominal tuberculosis. Fistulectomy, adhesiolysis and a diversion jejunostomy were done and antituberculosis therapy was started. A 20-year-old man presented with serous umbilical discharge, having a history of similar complaints in his infancy. While he was being investigated, he developed peritonitis and had to be operated on emergency basis. An umbilical sinus connected with a fibrous band to Meckel diverticulum and a proximal closed loop small bowel obstruction perforation were found. Resection and anastomosis of the affected segment were done, and the patient recovered well.

Case report of conjunctival sac fistula after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty.

BACKGROUND: To report a case of conjunctival sac fistula after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty which is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A young women who underwent bilateral canthoplasty appeared with lacrimation of the right eye. We found there was a skin fistula with transparent tears at 2 mm lateral to the right canthus ligament and the liquid containing fluorescein was seen to overflow at the fistula after using fluorescein sodium eye drops. The number 7 lacrimal duct probe was visible under the temporal conjunctiva when exploring the fistula, and the fistula was about 4 mm. The patient was diagnosed with conjunctival sac fistula and fistula excision was performed. The patient did not tear abnormally after observation 3 months later and the incision healed well. CONCLUSIONS: The case report illustrates an uncommon post-lateral canthoplasty complication. We suggested that surgeons who perform this kind of surgery should ask about epiphora and look for conjunctival sac fistula at follow-up assessment.

Case report of sigmoid colon perforation and colocutaneous fistula due to retropubic midurethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid bowel perforation is a very rare and serious complication of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for female stress urinary incontinence. The complication can be avoided with the use of the correct manipulation technique. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old female patient underwent a retropubic TVT procedure in the local hospital for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The procedure was smooth. Two weeks after surgery, the patient began to complain of fever and bloody, purulent discharge from the left suprapubic skin wound. During a 4-month period after surgery, she was admitted to the local hospital 4 times for similar infection symptoms. The infections were temporarily controlled with antibiotic administration. The reason for the refractory infection of the left suprapubic skin wound was not identified until a foreign TVT mesh was found in the sigmoid colon via a colonoscopy. We diagnosed that the TVT mesh caused a sigmoid colon perforation that led to colocutaneous fistula. An exploratory laparotomy revealed that the TVT tape perforated into and out of the sigmoid colon. An 8-cm long left part of mesh was removed. Two ruptures of sigmoid colon were mended without the need for bowel resection. At the 4-years follow-up after laparotomy, the patient was doing well and still continent. CONCLUSIONS: Urologists and gynecologists should be aware of the possibility of colon bowel injury in SUI patients with prior sling surgeries. Patient having recurrent suprapubic cutaneous infection may have high degree of suspicion of colon injury after TVT sling. The passage of the retropubic space procedure should be slow and always along the pubic bone according to the anatomy.