Nasolabial cyst

Nasolabial Cyst: A Case Report with Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Nasolabial cysts are uncommon nonodontogenic lesions that occur in the nasal alar region. These lesions usually present with asymptomatic swelling but can cause pain if infected. In this case report, we describe the inadequacy of conventional radiography in a nasolabial cyst case, as well as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) findings in a 54-year-old female patient.

Nasolabial cysts: A systematic review of 311 cases

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Nasolabial cysts are rare nonodontogenic cysts arising commonly in the nasal alar region. Intraoral sublabial resection of nasolabial cysts is considered the standard treatment modality. In the past 16 years, transnasal endoscopic marsupialization has emerged as an alternative approach for these lesions. A systematic review on this entity was performed to evaluate management and outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/MEDLINE Database.

METHODS

A search of literature including nasolabial cysts, nasoalveolar cysts, and Klestadt's cysts was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE database. Parameters regarding presentation, treatment, imaging, histology, and complications were extracted and subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine articles with 311 patient cases were included in this analysis. In cases reporting location, nasolabial cysts occurred 46.9%, 37.5%, and 10.9% on the left, right, and bilaterally, respectively. The most common presenting complaint was facial swelling in 168 out of 237 patients (70.9%). Computed tomography was the most commonly employed imaging study (n = 170). Surgical excision of nasolabial cysts was performed using an intraoral sublabial approach in 184 patients. Seventy-nine patients underwent endoscopic transnasal marsupialization. The most common complication following surgical treatment of nasolabial cysts was postoperative facial/perinasal swelling. Three and two recurrences were reported in the sublabial excision group and transnasal marsupialization group, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 20.0 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic transnasal marsupialization is a relatively new alternative to intraoral sublabial resection of nasolabial cysts, with similar efficacy. The rates of postoperative swelling, pain, and recurrence are similar in both groups.

A rare case of bilateral nasolabial cysts

Nasolabial cysts are rare non-odontogenic cystic lesions representing around 0.7% of all maxillofacial cysts. They usually present as unilateral painless swellings, sometimes with epiphora and dacryocystitis as well as pain in cases of rapid growth or infection. We have reviewed the literature and present an extremely rare case of bilateral nasolabial cysts in a young Afro-Caribbean man presenting with chronic nasal blockage, epiphora and rhinorrhoea. We describe our successful surgical management using a sublabial approach for complete excision, leading to a disease-free outcome at 6 months follow-up. Other modalities have been described, from endoscopic marsupialisation to simple aspiration. However, with the exception of complete surgical excision, all other surgical techniques are associated with a high recurrence rate. We therefore advocate complete surgical excision as described below for optimal results.

Nasoalveolar cyst: an enigma for the dentist

A nasoalveolar cyst is a rare, non-odontogenic soft tissue cyst encountered in the anterior maxillary labial sulcus as an asymptomatic soft tissue swelling. Often, patients with these cysts report them to the dental clinic where they are mistaken for odontogenic lesions by the dental surgeon, especially if concomitant dental problems are present. They cannot be detected by routine conventional dental radiography as they are peripheral, lying within the mucosa thereby posing a diagnostic challenge. We document a case of a 47-year-old woman with a nasoalveolar cyst.