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Dacryocystitis

AI overview

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct at the junction of the lacrimal sac.

Key points
  • The most common complication is corneal ulceration, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae.
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    The most common complication is corneal ulceration , frequently in association with S. pneumoniae
  • When nasolacrimal duct obstruction is secondary to a congenital barrier it is referred to as dacryocystocele.
    source quote
    When nasolacrimal duct obstruction is secondary to a congenital barrier it is referred to as dacryocystocele
  • Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct leads to stasis of the nasolacrimal fluid, which predisposes to infection.
    source quote
    obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct leads to stasis of the nasolacrimal fluid, which predisposes to infection
  • In women, stones may develop in the lacrimal gland causing recurrent bouts, called acute dacryocystic retention syndrome.
    source quote
    especially in women, stones may develop in the lacrimal gland, causing recurrent bouts of dacryocystitis; this condition is called "acute dacryocystic retention syndrome."
Symptoms
  • It causes pain, redness, and swelling over the inner aspect of the lower eyelid and epiphora.
    source quote
    It causes pain, redness , and swelling over the inner aspect of the lower eyelid and epiphora
  • Pain, swelling, redness over the lacrimal sac at medial canthus.
    source quote
    Pain, swelling, redness over the lacrimal sac at medial canthus
  • Tearing, crusting, and fever may occur.
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    Tearing, crusting, fever
  • Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum (roplas test positive).
    source quote
    Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum (also called roplas test positive)
  • In chronic cases, tearing may be the only symptom.
    source quote
    In chronic cases, tearing may be the only symptom
Diagnosis
  • Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum, known as a positive roplas test.
    source quote
    Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum (also called roplas test positive)
Treatment
  • The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotics, warm compresses, and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy.
    source quote
    The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotics , warm compresses , and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy
Red flags
  • Immunocompromised individuals may develop orbital cellulitis leading to optic neuritis, proptosis, motility abnormalities, or blindness.
    source quote
    Individuals with a poorly functioning immune system (immunocompromised) may develop orbital cellulitis , which may lead to optic neuritis , proptosis , motility abnormalities, or blindness
  • The most common complication is corneal ulceration, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae.
    source quote
    The most common complication is corneal ulceration , frequently in association with S. pneumoniae
Prognosis

About 60 percent of initial attacks of dacryocystitis will recur. Immunocompromised individuals may develop orbital cellulitis, which may lead to optic neuritis, proptosis, motility abnormalities, or blindness.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Dacryocystitis”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Dacryocystitis
Other namesfield = Ophthalmology
A case of dacryocystitis as seen on CT scan
SpecialtyOphthalmology 

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct at the junction of the lacrimal sac.[1] The term derives from Greek dákryon 'tear', cysta 'sac' and -itis 'inflammation'.[2] 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]

  • 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 (also called roplas test positive)
  • In chronic cases, tearing may be the only symptom

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.[citation needed]

lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum.

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]

  1. Durand, Marlene L. (2015-01-01). "Periocular Infections". Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases (8th ed.). 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. 1 2 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. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Yanoff, Myron; Duker, Jay S. (2008). Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Mosby. pp. 1482–1485. ISBN 978-0323057516.