Nasopalatine duct cyst radiographic finding and its surgical management: A case report

Abstract

Background and Aims: The incisive canal cyst also known as nasopalatine duct cyst (NPDC) is the most common developmental non odontogenic cyst and it is usually asymptomatic with a well corticated round, ovoid or in some cases unique heart shaped radiolucent radiographic finding. Its accurate diagnosis from odontogenic cysts, odontogenic tumor, and benign non-odontogenic tumors using clinical and radiographic findings leads to eradication of pathologic condition with minimum residual defects and patient discomfort. In this case report, the clinical and radiographic findings of a 60-year-old female with the chief complaint of swelling was reviewed. There were typical histologic and radiographic findings related to nasopalatine duct cyst. The surgical management is explained. Follow up visit showed satisfactory healing and no dehiscence. It could be suggested that heart shaped radiographic finding in 3-D reconstructed image in the maxillary midline would be a good predictor for NPDC.

Keywords

• nonodontogenic cyst
• hard palate
• cone-beam computed tomography