Characteristic Image Findings of Nomal Nasopalatine Duct Region Using Multidetector Low CT

Odontogenic and nonodontogenic cysts are small and are found on routine plain film or pantomography. However, it may be difficult on imaging to differentiate between an enlarged incisive fossa and an incisive canal cyst. Therefore, the judgment of the size in normal states of the nasopalatine duct at CT and pathologic states of the nasopalatine duct or a form is important in clinically. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristic CT findings of normal nasopalatine duct using multidetector-low CT.

Subjects consisted of 124 patients (60 male, 64 female; mean age, 40 years). Measurement of the diameter of a nasopalatine duct and width diameter was performed by three points such as, nasal cavity side, middle point, and palate side, using sagittal and coronal slices on CT images. Moreover, analysis of the shape of a nasopalatine duct was also performed from these images. All images were independently evaluated by two oral radiologists and any differences were resolved by forced consensus. The statistical difference was determined by two-sided Mann-Whitney`s U test. Difference with P<0.05 was considered significant.

 As a result of measurement, 3.2 mm of males, 2.8 mm of females, and a male had the slightly thick average by the sagittal image, and the average was 3.8 mm by the coronal image.

 MDCT imaging can demonstrated the normal appearance of nasopalatine duct. These image findings suggested that MDCT findings are useful for differentiation between normal and abnormal conditions in nasopalatine duct region.

1) Liang X, Jacobs R, Martens W, Hu YQ, Adriaensens P, Quirynen M, Lambrichts I. Macro- and micro-anatomical, histological and computed tomography scan characterization of the nasopalatine canal. J Clin Periodontol 2009; 36: 598–603.

2) Bornstein MM, Balsiger R, Sendi P, von Arx T. Morphology of the nasopalatine canal and dental implant surgery: a radiographic analysis of 100 consecutive patients using limited cone-beam computed tomography. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22,295-301,2011.