Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct at the junction of lacrimal sac.[1] The term derives from the Greek dákryon (tear),[2] cysta (sac), and -itis (inflammation). It causes pain, redness, and swelling over the inner aspect of the lower eyelid and epiphora. When nasolacrimal duct obstruction is secondary to a congenital barrier it is referred to as dacryocystocele. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.[3] The most common complication is corneal ulceration, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae.[3] The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotics, warm compresses, and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy.[3]

Dacryocystitis
Other namesfield = Ophthalmology
A case of dacryocystitis as seen on CT scan
SpecialtyOphthalmology 
See also: Nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Signs and symptoms
  • Pain, swelling, redness over the lacrimal sac at medial canthus [4]
  • Tearing, crusting, fever
  • Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum
  • In chronic cases, tearing may be the only symptom

Pathophysiology

A variety of causes may lead to dacryocystitis. Most notably, obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct leads to stasis of the nasolacrimal fluid, which predisposes to infection. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial pathogen causing infectious dacryocystitis.[5] Sometimes, especially in women, stones may develop in the lacrimal gland, causing recurrent bouts of dacryocystitis; this condition is called "acute dacryocystic retention syndrome."[5] Also due to pneumococcus, infection due to surrounding structure such as paranasal sinuses.

Prognosis

About 60 percent of initial attacks of dacryocystitis will recur.[5] Individuals with a poorly functioning immune system (immunocompromised) may develop orbital cellulitis, which may lead to optic neuritis, proptosis, motility abnormalities, or blindness.[5]

See also

References
  1. Durand, Marlene L. (2015-01-01). Periocular Infections. ScienceDirect. pp. 1432–1438.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4557-4801-3.00118-1. ISBN 9781455748013. Retrieved 2020-05-08. Dacryocystitis, or inflammation of the lacrimal sac, is the most common infection of the lacrimal system. It arises because of obstruction of the lacrimal duct, pooling of tears in the lacrimal sac, and subsequent infection. Obstruction may be congenital or may result from trauma, tumors, infection, or inflammation of the duct.
  2. "Dacryo- definition". Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  3. Oill PA; Montgomerie JZ; Cryan WS; Edwards JE (March 1977). "Specialty conference. Infectious disease emergencies. Part V: patients presenting with localized infections". The Western Journal of Medicine. 126 (3): 196–208. PMC 1237503. PMID 349885.
  4. "Dacryocystitis". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  5. Yanoff, Myron; Duker, Jay S. (2008). Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Mosby. pp. 1482–1485. ISBN 978-0323057516.
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