Neonatal palatal cysts and their morphology in cleft lip and palate

Palatal cysts (Epstein pearls) are occasionally noticed as white papules on the palatal mucosa of a neonate whilst having its 6-week postnatal check. We describe five cleft patients and the distribution characteristics of their palatal cysts, including the previously unrecorded observation of a submucous cleft palate with a double row of palatal cysts, one row on each side of the zona pellucida. The role of spatial morphology of palatal cysts in interpreting cleft pathogenesis is discussed. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.