Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Odontogenic Cutaneous Fistula: A Case Report Demonstrating the Value of Multimodal Imaging Diagnostics

Background

An oral cutaneous fistula is an external conduit that connects the oral cavity to the skin, creating an easier pathway for infections. Odontogenic cutaneous fistulas (OCFs) account for approximately 80% of oral cutaneous fistulas (Kishore Kumar RV et al. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2012; 11: 411–415). Dental infections are a common contributing factor to morbidity (Figaro N et al. Case Rep Med 2018; 2018: 3710857). Despite the well-established causative mechanisms, clinical misdiagnosis remains at 15–20%. Clinical data indicate an 18.7% misdiagnosis rate when patients first consult dental or oral medicine professionals (Alaeddini M et al. Journal of Endodontics, 47(8): 1234–1239), primarily attributable to their insidious clinical presentation and inadequate imaging evaluation. OCFs are mostly diagnosed using X-ray and CBCT examinations. Such cases are rarely reported by ultrasound, yet its diagnostic value deserves recognition. Here, we report a case of an OCF due to misdiagnosis, which ultimately was diagnosed using ultrasound.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 June 2025