Congenital sinuses or fistulas of the upper lip are extremely rare malformations often associated with other congenital anomalies, mainly cleft lip and palate. There are very few cases described in the literature, and the aetiology of this rare occurrence remains obscure. This article present a case of congenital upper lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of a 11-year old girl. The authors discuss the major embryological theories about pathogenesis of upper lip fistulas: the “fusion theory”, the “invagination theory”, and the “merging theory”. Finally, we propose that early ectodermal inclusion events in the medial fusion area between the two medial nasal processes, during the formation of the intermaxillary process, could be involved in the embryopathogenesis of the midline fistula of the upper lip.
Congenital sinuses or fistulas of the upper lip are extremely rare malformations often associated with other congenital anomalies, mainly cleft lip and palate. There are very few cases described in the literature, and the aetiology of this rare occurrence remains obscure. This article present a case of congenital upper lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of a 11-year old girl. The authors discuss the major embryological theories about pathogenesis of upper lip fistulas: the “fusion theory”, the “invagination theory”, and the “merging theory”. Finally, we propose that early ectodermal inclusion events in the medial fusion area between the two medial nasal processes, during the formation of the intermaxillary process, could be involved in the embryopathogenesis of the midline fistula of the upper lip.
Congenital midline fistula of the upper lip: Embryological aspects of a rare malformation
RULLO, Rosario;FEMIANO, Felice;DI DOMENICO, Marina;
2017
Abstract
Congenital sinuses or fistulas of the upper lip are extremely rare malformations often associated with other congenital anomalies, mainly cleft lip and palate. There are very few cases described in the literature, and the aetiology of this rare occurrence remains obscure. This article present a case of congenital upper lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of a 11-year old girl. The authors discuss the major embryological theories about pathogenesis of upper lip fistulas: the “fusion theory”, the “invagination theory”, and the “merging theory”. Finally, we propose that early ectodermal inclusion events in the medial fusion area between the two medial nasal processes, during the formation of the intermaxillary process, could be involved in the embryopathogenesis of the midline fistula of the upper lip.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
