Surgical management of piriform sinus fistula.

Four cases of acute cervical abscess resulting from infection through the left piriform sinus fistula are described. The fistula seems to be related to the cause of infection in many of previously reported cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis or "recurrent lateral cervical fistula." Complete removal of the fistula is essential to a permanent cure, and the guide of a Fogarty catheter through the fistula is useful at operation for patients with repeated infection.