Nasopalatine Duct Cyst Treatment & Management

Updated: May 13, 2022
  • Author: Piotr Kurnatowski, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Treatment

Surgical Care

Nasopalatine duct cysts are treated by enucleation via a palatine or buccal approach; transnasal endoscopic marsupialization can also be applied. [56, 57]

Recurrence is uncommon, having been reported in 0-11% of patients. [5, 6, 7]

If components of the long sphenopalatine nerve are removed during surgery, it may cause paresthesia to the anterior palate. [34, 7]

Complete bone regeneration within the bony defect is expected postoperatively.

In some cases, a marsupialization is necessary, such as when the capsule shows adhesion with the surrounding area and enucleation is difficult to perform.

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Complications

Very large, untreated nasopalatine duct cysts may resorb the roots of the adjacent teeth and display the roots. Other complications may include perforation of the vestibular bone, nasal cavity, and maxillary sinus [58] ; a large cyst can cause complete destruction of the anterior palate and pyriform rim. [59] Paresthesia to the anterior palate may occur in 10% of cases if components of the long sphenopalatine nerve are removed or damaged during surgery. [28, 34, 7] In addition, devitalization of central incisors, postoperative wound infection, and postoperative fistula can occur. [12] There is a statistically significant correlation between the presence of postoperative and late complications with cyst diameter, surface area, and volume. [52]

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