Misdiagnosed Submental Odontogenic Cutaneous Sinus Tract: A Case Report

Abstract

Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tracts (OCSTs) are uncommon sequelae of chronic dental infections that may be misdiagnosed due to their variable clinical presentations. This case report describes a 21-year-old male with a recurrent submental lesion initially diagnosed as folliculitis and treated with multiple excisions. Despite repeated interventions, relapse occurred, and the patient was referred to our department. Extraoral examination revealed an erythematous lesion without intraoral findings. Panoramic radiography and CBCT identified a unilocular radiolucency associated with the mandibular right central incisor. Root canal therapy followed by surgical enucleation and closure achieved complete resolution, with no recurrence at follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of OCSTs, which may mimic dermatological or neoplastic conditions, often leading to unnecessary treatments. Early recognition of the odontogenic origin through thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation is essential to ensure appropriate management and prevent prolonged morbidity.

Keywords

• Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract
• Radicular cyst
• Submental region

Submental Kutanoz Fistül: Odontojenik Kaynaklı Enfeksiyonlar ve Folikülit

Abstract

Odontojenik kütanöz sinüs traktları (OCST), kronik dental enfeksiyonların nadir görülen sonuçları olup değişken klinik görünümleri nedeniyle sıklıkla yanlış tanı almaktadır. Bu olgu sunumunda, başlangıçta folikülit tanısıyla iki kez eksize edilen ve tekrarlayan submental lezyonu bulunan 21 yaşında erkek hasta sunulmaktadır. Tekrarlayan relapslar sonrasında hasta bölümümüze yönlendirilmiştir. Ekstraoral muayenede eritemli lezyon saptanmış, intraoral bulguya rastlanmamıştır. Panoramik radyografi ve CBCT, mandibular sağ santral kesici diş ile ilişkili uniloküler radyolusensi göstermiştir. İlgili dişe uygulanan kök kanal tedavisi ve cerrahi enükleasyon sonrasında tam iyileşme sağlanmış ve takiplerde nüks izlenmemiştir. Bu olgu, dermatolojik ya da neoplastik hastalıkları taklit edebilen OCST’lerin tanısal güçlüğünü vurgulamaktadır. Uygun tedavinin sağlanması ve uzun süreli morbiditenin önlenmesi için odontojenik kökenin erken dönemde dikkate alınması büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• Odontojenik submental kutanöz fistül
• Radiküler kist
• Submental bölge

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