Supernumerary Nostril: Report of a Rare Case and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Supernumerary nostril is an extremely rare congenital entity that results from aberrant embryological development. A review of the literature reveals that only 33 cases of supernumerary nostril have been reported. They can be associated with other congenital anomalies. The accessory nostril may or may not communicate with the ipsilateral nasal cavity, probably depending on the degree of embryological progression of the anomaly. A case of supernumerary left nostril with no nasal cavity communication is presented. The surgical treatment is described and different speculative theories related to the embryogenesis of supernumerary nostrils are also reviewed.