Dentigerous Cysts Presenting as Head and Neck Infections

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe dentigerous cysts presenting as head and neck infections. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of 327 charts with an admitting diagnosis of head and neck infection, deep neck space infection, and dentigerous cysts treated at a tertiary care hospital between 1975 and 2004. RESULTS: Seven patients were identified who had dentigerous cysts that presented as head and neck infections. Six of these patients had recurrent infections at the same site and one was diagnosed with a submasseteric space abscess. The incidence of head and neck infections with dentigerous cysts as the underlying causative pathology was 2.1%. CONCLUSION: Head and neck infections with dentigerous cysts as underlying pathology are more common than perceived. SIGNIFICANCE: Typically not considered as sources of infection, dentigerous cysts must be considered in cases of head and neck infection.