Intranasal ectopic tooth: An unusual diagnostic finding with review of literature

Intranasal ectopic teeth are rare developmental anomalies characterized by the eruption of a tooth within the nasal cavity and may present with nonspecific symptoms that can delay diagnosis. They are often associated with complications such as chronic infection, rhinolith formation, and recurrent sinonasal symptoms. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of persistent foul-smelling right-sided nasal discharge and intermittent epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy revealed a hard white mass on the floor of the right nasal cavity surrounded by calcified deposits, while computed tomography demonstrated a tooth-like hyperdense structure with a central pulp cavity extending from the hard palate into the nasal cavity, consistent with an intranasal ectopic tooth associated with a rhinolith. The patient underwent successful endoscopic trans-nasal extraction with complete resolution of symptoms and an uneventful recovery. This case highlights the importance of considering intranasal ectopic teeth in the differential diagnosis of persistent unilateral nasal symptoms and underscores the value of CT imaging in establishing the diagnosis. Early endoscopic removal is a safe and effective treatment that can prevent complications such as chronic infection, rhinolith formation, and recurrent sinusitis.