Dacryocystitis
| Dacryocystitis | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | H04.3-H04.4 |
| ICD-9-CM | 375.30 |
| DiseasesDB | 3432 |
| eMedicine | article/1210688 |
| Patient UK | Dacryocystitis |
| MeSH | D003607 |
Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct at the junction of lacrimal sac. The term derives from the Greek dákryon (tear),[1] 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 dacrocystocele. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.[2] The most common complication is corneal ulceration, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae.[2] The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotics, warm compresses, and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy.[2]
Contents
Pathophysiology
A variety of causes may lead to dacrocystitis. 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 dacrocystitis.[3] Sometimes, especially in women, stones may develop in the lacrimal gland, causing recurrent bouts of dacrocystitis; this condition is called "acute dacryocystic retention syndrome."[3] also due to pneumococcus,infection due to surrounding structure such as paranasal sinuses.
Clinical features
- Pain, swelling, redness over the lacrimal sac at medial canthus
- Tearing, crusting, fever
- Digital pressure over the lacrimal sac may extrude pus through the punctum
- In chronic cases, tearing may be the only symptom
Prognosis and complications
About 60 percent of initial attacks of dacrocystitis will recur.[3] Individuals with a poorly functioning immune system (immunocompromised) may develop orbital cellulitis, which may lead to optic neuritis, proptosis, motility abnormalities, or blindness.[3]
