[Clinical, tomographic and histopathological aspects of the nasopalatine duct cyst].

he nasopalatine duct cyst (NPDC) is a condition of nondontogenic development arising from the proliferation of pithelial remnants of the nasopalatine duct, which exists hroughout fetal life, and tends to regress after birth. In ome cases, remnants may remain, proliferate, and give ise to a cyst.1,2 It is a rare condition, usually affecting ales between 30 and 60 years of age.3 It is usually asympomatic, grows slowly, and is detected after routine clinical nd X-ray examinations.4 When swelling, drainage, and pain rom the anterior palate are reported in these lesions, they re associated with secondary infection or pressure on the asopalatine nerve.2 On radiographic examination, the cyst s seen in the midline as a heart-shaped radiolucency in he region of the anterior nasal spine.5,6 The treatment is