A study of piriform sinus fistula cases

We have experienced five cases of piriform sinus fistula for the last 10 ye ars. It is a relatively rare disease, and partly because of poor understand ing of the disease, in one case infection had repeatedly recurred without b eing adequately treated for over 20 years, and in most cases there was a lo ng time lapse before the diagnosis. In another case, it was difficult to im age the fistula with contrast medium and fistulectomy was performed without identifying it on imaging. We have applied various devices to those cases where imaging of fistula was difficult, and achieved complete resection of fistula and have not observed recurrences of infection after resection. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.