Dacryocystitis is inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is a complex set of responses to infection and injury involving leukocytes as the principal cellular mediators in the body's defense against pathogenic organisms. Inflammation is also seen as a response to tissue injury in the process of wound healing. The 5 cardinal signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation of the lacrimal sac due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction and the subsequent stasis of tears. The condition can have an acute or chronic onset. Acute dacryocystitis presents within hours or days with redness Redness Inflammation, swelling Swelling Inflammation, tenderness, and excessive tearing. The chronic type has a gradual course, often manifesting with epiphora. By etiology, dacryocystitis can be congenital Congenital Chorioretinitis or acquired. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction affects 6% of newborns. Acquired cases occur due to trauma, systemic diseases, or tumors. Diagnosis is made clinically. In some cases, laboratory tests and imaging help determine abnormal structures and underlying disease. Initial treatment includes conservative measures such as Crigler massage, warm compresses Warm Compresses Chalazion, and antibiotics, if indicated. If these fail, surgical options are tried.
Last updated: 8 Jan, 2021
Dacryocystitis is an inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is a complex set of responses to infection and injury involving leukocytes as the principal cellular mediators in the body’s defense against pathogenic organisms. Inflammation is also seen as a response to tissue injury in the process of wound healing. The 5 cardinal signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation of the lacrimal sac due to nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction and the subsequent stasis of tears.
Nasolacrimal system obstruction is the main etiology.
Images of lacrimal
abscess
Abscess
Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease:
a. and b. Localized right lacrimal
abscess
Abscess
Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease, with discharge at the medial canthus;
c. a
neonate
Neonate
An infant during the first 28 days after birth.
Physical Examination of the Newborn with right lacrimal
abscess
Abscess
Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease;
d. Lacrimal
abscess
Abscess
Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease with
orbital cellulitis
Orbital cellulitis
Orbital and preseptal cellulitis are infections differentiated by the anatomic sites affected in the orbit. Infection posterior to the septum is orbital cellulitis. Inoculation with the pathogen can occur through trauma or surgery. Cellulitis also occurs via extension from a nearby structure (such as from sinus infection or sinusitis).
Orbital and Preseptal Cellulitis
Digital subtraction dacryocystogram.
A. Completely obstructed right NLD showing no
flow
Flow
Blood flows through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins in a closed, continuous circuit. Flow is the movement of volume per unit of time. Flow is affected by the pressure gradient and the resistance fluid encounters between 2 points. Vascular resistance is the opposition to flow, which is caused primarily by blood friction against vessel walls.
Vascular Resistance, Flow, and Mean Arterial Pressure of contrast medium. Normal left NLD
B. Free
flow
Flow
Blood flows through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins in a closed, continuous circuit. Flow is the movement of volume per unit of time. Flow is affected by the pressure gradient and the resistance fluid encounters between 2 points. Vascular resistance is the opposition to flow, which is caused primarily by blood friction against vessel walls.
Vascular Resistance, Flow, and Mean Arterial Pressure of the contrast medium through the recanalized right NLD to the inferior meatus after surgery
A. Clinical photo of a patient with
right eye
Right Eye
Refractive Errors dacryocele
B. CT
axial
Axial
Computed Tomography (CT) cut showing the medial canthus dacryocele (white arrow)
C. CT
coronal
Coronal
Computed Tomography (CT) cut showing the same finding (white arrow)