Nasolabial cyst: case report

Cisto nasolabial: relato de caso

Nasolabial cyst: case report

Cisto nasolabial: relato de caso

Valfrido Antonio Pereira Filho^I; Alessandro Costa da Silva^II; Márcio de Moraes^II; Roger William F. Moreira^II; Halbert Villalba^III

^IDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry of Araraquara, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

^IIDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

^IIIDepartment of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, UNICAMP, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

^{Address to correspondence}

ABSTRACT

The nasolabial cyst is classified as a fissural cyst, found outside the bone, and on the region corresponding to the nasolabial furrow and alar nose. This cyst is frequently asymptomatic with the most usual sign being alar nose elevation. In spite of the low occurrence of nasolabial cysts, it is important to recognize the clinical characteristics of this lesion. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and discuss the histomorphology and etiology of this condition, showing treatment by surgical excision.

Key Words: nasolabial cyst, nasoalveolar cyst.

RESUMO

O cisto nasolabial é classificado como um cisto fissural, localizado externamente ao tecido ósseo, na região correspondente ao sulco nasolabial e asa do nariz. Estes cistos são freqüentemente assintomáticos e geralmente promovem a elevação da asa do nariz. Apesar da sua difícil ocorrência, é importante reconhecermos as características desta lesão. O objetivo deste artigo é o de revisar a literatura e de discutir aspectos histológicos e etiológicos desta condição, bem como o tratamento por meio da excisão cirúrgica.

Unitermos: cisto nasolabial, cisto nasoalveolar.

INTRODUCTION

The nasolabial cyst is a rare non-odontogenic cyst originating in maxillofacial soft tissues. According to Allard (1), this lesion was first described in 1882 by Zuckerkandl, and since then, two main etiological theories have been proposed. One holds that the lesion arises from trapped nasolacrimal duct tissue (2), and the other affirms that it is an embryonic fissural cyst (3). Klestadt (4) first postulated an embryologic origin for these cysts and considered that these lesions must originate from embryonic epithelium, entrapped in the developmental fissures between the lateral nasal and maxillary processes. Since then, many authors have classified this entity based on Klestadt's embryologic theory as a fissural cyst (5).

This lesion presents an extraosseous location in the region of the nasolabial fold and can cause swelling in the furrow, alar nose elevation and upper lip projection (3). Despite the uncommon occurrence of nasolabial cysts, it is important to recognize the characteristics of this lesion.

The purpose of this paper was to review the literature and discuss the histomorphology and etiology of this condition, showing the treatment of this pathology by surgical excision.

REPORT OF CASE

A 42-year-old, Caucasian woman sought treatment in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba Dental School. The patient's main complaint was swelling and elevation of the right nasolabial region. Clinically, there was a flattened upper lip, particularly on the region of the right alar base and the sulcus nasolabialis appeared indistinct, suggesting the possible diagnosis of nasolabial cyst. On palpation, a soft, fluctuant mass was observed which extended from the buccal area up to the floor of the nose.

Radiographic examination (periapical and panoramic) showed a radiolucent area in the periapical region of the right lateral incisor, that had previously received endodontic treatment. The patient reported that an apicectomy had been done, suggesting the possible odontogenic origin of this lesion. The patient's medical history did not reveal any pathological condition. Therefore, surgery was proposed.

The cyst was excised under local anesthesia by infraorbital block injection and infiltration with 2% lidocaine containing 1:100,000 epinephrine. Incision was made in the labial mucosa 5 mm above the mucogingival junction, and the lesion was carefully separated with sharp dissection from the mucous membrane of the floor of the nose (Figure 1), leaving a 2 mm oronasal communication which was repaired with 3-0 chromic catgut. The insertion of the alar base was re-established by suturing it in a perforation made in the anterior nasal spine, with 3-0 nylon suture.

The lesion measured 10x10x8 mm, presenting a flat surface. Microscopically, the cyst was lined by thin, nonpapillated cuboidal to columnar epithelium with occasional goblet cells. The cyst wall consisted of condensed fibrous connective tissue containing only scattered chronic inflammatory cells. The histologic diagnosis was nasolabial cyst (Figure 2).

The histologic, clinical and radiologic findings were compatible with nasolabial cyst. The postoperative course was uncomplicated and there was no lesion recurrence up to one year of follow-up and the pathologic signs and symptoms of the lesion had disappeared.

DISCUSSION

Many names have been suggested for nasolabial cysts, with the nasoalveolar cyst and nasolabial cyst being the two most widely used. Nasolabial cysts represent about 0.7% of all cysts in the maxillofacial region, and 2.5% of non-odontogenic cysts. Many authors believe that its prevalence is actually higher than presented in the literature; however, due to misdiagnosis, indexes remain low (6).

Nasolabial cysts are usually unilateral, with no prevalence of side occurrence but bilateral cases have been also reported (2). It has been estimated that approximately 10% of the cases are bilateral (6,7). Other significant findings include a greater incidence in females (4:1) and possibly greater prevalence among Blacks (8). It frequently occurs during middle age (2,5,9). Although we report only one case, this patient revealed the same characteristics that the literature presents: middle-aged, female and asymptomatic. This lesion is usually asymptomatic unless secondarily infected.

The clinical findings of the nasolabial cyst are fairly typical. Patients usually complain of a swelling adjacent to the nose, and sometimes the cyst may be observed on routine examination (10,11). The development of swelling in the maxillary buccal sulcus may reach great dimensions, causing discomfort with the use of dentures, breathing obstruction and facial asymmetry. In this report, the patient mainly complained about alar nose flaring, upper lip swelling, diminished nasolabial sulcus, nasal floor elevation and greater volume in the maxillary labial sulcus. The latter was felt to be soft and fluctuant during intraoral palpation.

Due to similar signs and symptoms, this lesion may be misdiagnosed as a dental or periodontal abscess, odontogenic cyst, tumor and choanal polyp (12). In the present case, the patient reported endodontic treatment in the left canine region. This could cause a false diagnosis.

Although it is a soft-tissue cyst, the nasolabial cyst can sometimes cause erosion of the underlying maxillary bone which may be observed in radiographic examination (13). Schroff (14) pointed out that these are not bone lesions and thus detailed radiographic examination must be obtained to distinguish them from odontogenic or other non-odontogenic etiologies (15). In the literature, rare cases of radicular absorption were observed due to these cysts. However, an alteration in the shape of the maxillary bone in the periapical region of the tooth involved was noted in the present case. This bone resorption was also observed by other authors (16,17).

Injection of esclerotic substances, marsupialization and surgical removal may be considered for treatment. However, unlike some of the large intraosseous cysts, this soft-tissue lesion does not respond to marsupialization (18) and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Because this cyst is usually closely related to the floor of the nose (1,19), perforation of the nasal mucosa may be expected during its removal. When very small perforations are caused, they can be left untreated, however, larger ones must be sutured (18).

In the present case, the nasal and buccal structures healed well without any recurrence of the lesion after one year. Despite the suture, there was an enlargement of the alar nose. However, this did not compromise facial esthetics.

Accepted October 5, 2001

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  07 Apr 2003
• Date of issue
  2002

History

• Accepted
  05 Oct 2001