巨大な鼻口蓋管嚢胞の1例

Giant Nasopalatine Duct Cyst:A Case Report

　はじめに

　鼻口蓋管嚢胞は，胎生期に存在し生後1年以内に消褪するとされる鼻口蓋管（切歯管）の残存上皮より形成される顎骨内嚢胞である。従来，顔裂性嚢胞の1つに分類されてきたが，近年この発生学的論拠は疑問視されつつある。今回われわれは，口蓋および鼻腔底に著明な膨隆をきたし，巨大な鼻口蓋管嚢胞と考えられた1例を経験したので，ここに報告する。

A 15-year-old male with nasopalatine duct cyst was consulted with a palatal swelling and nasal obstruction. CT scan and MRI showed a giant cystic mass in his upper jaw, which deformed his nasal and paranasal structure. Based on WHO classification, nasopalatine duct cyst was diagnosed. The cyst was totally resected by the palatal approach. Naso-palatine duct cyst is believed to arise from the remnant epithelium of the nasopalatine duct. Etiology of this debatable entity is discussed.