Misdiagnosis of a nasopalatine duct cyst: A case report

Introduction: Nonendodontic lesions misdiagnosed as pathoses of endodontic origin are often referenced in the literature. One of the most frequent nonodontogenic cysts of the oral cavity, the nasopalatine duct cyst (NPDC), can be misdiagnosed as endodontic in nature. Methods: A case is presented in which a patent NPDC was originally diagnosed as a sinus tract with subsequent endodontic nonsurgical retreatment and eventual extraction before endodontic consultation. Results: After surgical treatment, a histopathologic diagnosis of an NPDC was confirmed. Conclusions: If diagnosed incorrectly, inappropriate endodontic treatment of a NPDC may be initiated to include unnecessary extraction. An increased understanding of anatomy, the use of appropriate diagnostic tests to include cone-beam computed tomography imaging, and key examination techniques to distinguish endodontic lesions from nonendodontic pathoses are imperative for an accurate differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment outcome.