Affiliations 

  • 1 Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
  • 2 Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
  • 3 General Dentistry, Dental and Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, MYS
  • 4 Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Klang, MYS
Cureus, 2021 Feb 28;13(2):e13616.
PMID: 33816015 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13616

Abstract

A tooth in the nasal cavity is an uncommon phenomenon. The exact mechanism is unclear, and patients may present with non-specific nasal symptoms. We encountered a 24-year-old patient with history of cleft palate repair, presenting to us with unilateral nasal discharge not improving with conventional medications. Rigid nasal endoscopy revealed a rhinolith-like foreign body at the floor of the left nasal cavity. Removal of the rhinolith was done under general anesthesia, and it turned out to be an intranasal tooth. Intranasal tooth is often misdiagnosed due to its non-specific symptoms. Detailed dental and oropharyngeal examination as well as imaging studies are essential in diagnosing an intranasal tooth. Early surgical removal is the mainstay of treatment in order to prevent further complications. Patients with unilateral nasal symptoms not responding to conventional treatment require proper ear, nose, and throat (ENT) evaluation to rule out other pathology.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.