Piriform sinus fistula. A route of infection in acute cervical abscess

Recently, acute suppurative thyroiditis and acute cervical abscess resulting from infection through the piliform sinus branchiogenic fistula have been reported. We presented 4 acute cervical abscess. In this paper, the complete fistulectomy for a parmanent cure were performed for these cases.The cases were one girl aged 11 years, two women aged 22 and 27 years and one boy aged 12 years. Clinical symptoms were sore throat, fever, and recurrent cervical swelling with severe pain. These cases were diagnosed based on fluororadiography with barium, and fistula originating from the apex of the left piriform sinus were disclosed. All cases underwent fistulectomy after acute inflammation was abated.From these cases, we suspect that acute cervical abscess without obvious route of infection must have resulted from infection through the piriform sinus fistula and commplete removal of the fistula is essential for a permanent cure.