Dental infections masquerading as skin lesions

Dental infection is a common cause of facial sinus; the external opening ca n masquerade as a variety of lesions. Surgical excision of the skin compone nt alone fails to address the underlying problem and results in recurrence. Recognition and treatment of the underlying dental infection is required t o allow the resolution of the associated skin lesion. Two illustrative case s are presented. (C) 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.