FISTULAS which connect the oral cavity and the pharyngeal area via the lateral aspects of the soft palate are infrequently reported. Congenital fistulas may be associated with other anomalies, namely absence of one or both palatine tonsils, preauricular fistulas, and deafness.1 Gorlin and Pindborg1 note that the congenital soft-palate fistulas are usually bilateral, may be familial, and may be related to irregularity in development of the second branchial pouch. A lateral soft-palate fistula may also result from spontaneous rupture of a peritonsillar abscess.2 The following is the report of a unilateral fistula without associated anomalies and with no history of a peritonsillar abscess.
Report of a Case
A 55-year-old white woman was examined at the University Dental Clinic after requesting replacement of her maxillary partial denture. On intraoral examination the presence of a small fistula 5 mm in diameter was noted on the left lateral aspect of the