CLINICAL MANAGEMENT AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACH IN THE TREATMENT OF NASOPALATINAL DUCT CYST

Abstract

This study is a narrative literature review aimed at analyzing the clinical management and therapeutic approach to Nasopalatine Duct Cyst (NPDC), the most prevalent non-odontogenic cystic pathology in the maxillofacial skeleton. The etiology of NPDC is linked to the proliferation of embryonic epithelial remnants. Accurate diagnosis is vital for distinguishing lesions of endodontic origin, with pulp vitality of adjacent central incisors being a robust clinical indicator. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is an indispensable tool in imaging diagnosis, exhibiting unilocular radiolucency with a diagnostic cutoff point generally established at 10 mm. The gold standard for diagnostic confirmation is histopathological analysis, which identifies heterogeneous epithelium, large nerve bundles, and accessory mucous glands in the fibrous capsule. The treatment of choice is total surgical enucleation via the palatal approach, with marsupialization being an alternative for excessively large cysts. The prognosis is excellent, with a low recurrence rate (2% to 11%).