SUPERNUMERARY NOSTRIL - A RARE CONGENITAL DEFORMITY

Duplication anomalies of the nose include polyhinia (double nose) and supernumerary nostril (assessory nostril). These are rare congenital n asal deformities resulting from aberrant embryological development. Di fferential diagnoses include glioma, encephalocele, nasal dermoid, nas olacrimal duct duplication, mid facial cleft and proboscis lateralis ( K. Nakamura, T. Onizuka. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 80 (3) (1987) 436-441) . Our review of the English language literature revealed eight reporte d cases of duplication anomalies of the nose. Four of these were cases of polyrhinia (double nose). Of the cases remaining, one patient had a supernumerary nostril in association with a cleft lip, leaving only three reported cases of an isolated supernumerary nostril. We present a newborn infant with an isolated right supernumerary nostril. MRI, CT and photographic documentation are provided. Pertinent embryology, an atomy and a thorough review of the literature are included. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.