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.