The nasopalatine duct cyst: an analysis of the relation between clinical symptoms, cyst dimensions, and involvement of neighboring anatomical structures using cone beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the dimensions of nasopalatine duct cysts (NPDCs) and the involvement of neighboring anatomical structures using standardized limited cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a possible correlation to the patient's age, gender, preoperative symptoms, and postsurgical complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients with a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of NPDC. Standardized measurements of NPDC dimensions were performed on sagittal, coronal, and axial CBCT sections. Maximas, minimas, mean, standard error of mean, and confidence intervals (95%) of all measurements were performed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze group differences and to assess any association between measurements and preoperative symptoms or postoperative complications.

RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 49.5 years, and a male-to-female ratio of 2.1:1 was assessed. Mean cyst dimensions for men and for patients less than 50 years old tended to be higher, without statistical significance. The cyst dimensions had no statistically significant correlation to preoperative symptoms. Initial symptoms were present in all cases with a nasal defect, however. Most of the standardized cyst dimensions exhibited a statistically significant correlation to postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence or the absence of symptoms does not correlate with the dimensions of an NPDC. With progressive size of the cyst, the risk for minor postsurgical complications increases.