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. 2025 Sep 22;13(9):e70936.
doi: 10.1002/ccr3.70936. eCollection 2025 Sep.

A Case Report on Thornwaldt Cyst: An Uncommon Nasopharyngeal Anomaly in an 18-Year-Old Male

Dhiraj Chaurasia  1 , Abdus Samad Ansari  1 , Rishita Dallakoti  1 , Season Shrestha  2 , Inku Shrestha Basnet  2
Affiliations

A Case Report on Thornwaldt Cyst: An Uncommon Nasopharyngeal Anomaly in an 18-Year-Old Male

Dhiraj Chaurasia et al. Clin Case Rep. .

Abstract

Thornwaldt cysts are rare, benign nasopharyngeal remnants that often remain asymptomatic but can cause significant discomfort when symptomatic. This case report discusses an 18-year-old male who experienced a persistent foreign body sensation in his nose for 4 months. Initial investigations, including MRI, revealed a Thornwaldt cyst occupying 70% of the nasopharyngeal space. Diagnostic confirmation was obtained through nasal endoscopy and histopathological examination. The patient underwent successful endoscopic surgical excision of the cyst, resulting in complete symptom resolution. At a one-year follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free with no signs of recurrence. This case underscores the importance of recognizing Thornwaldt cysts in patients with nonspecific symptoms and highlights the efficacy of endoscopic surgical intervention for both symptom relief and prevention of recurrence. Accurate diagnosis using advanced imaging techniques and histopathological confirmation is crucial for appropriate management and favorable patient outcomes.

Keywords: Thornwaldt; case report; endoscope; notochord.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
MRI scans (sagittal section) of the nasopharynx showing the nasopharyngeal cyst in the midline of the nasopharynx.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Nasopharyngeal endoscopic view showing a smooth cystic mass arising from the roof of the nasopharynx.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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