Dacryocystitis

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Dacryocystitis
Dacryocystitis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, redness, swelling near the tear sac
Complications	Abscess, cellulitis, orbital cellulitis
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, infection
Risks	Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, facial trauma
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, imaging
Differential diagnosis	Preseptal cellulitis, orbital cellulitis, conjunctivitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Antibiotics, surgery
Medication	Oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common in infants and adults over 40
Deaths	N/A

Left side dacryocystitis in an 80-year-old woman

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. It can be acute or chronic. The term derives from the Greek words dakryon (tear), kystis (sac), and -itis (inflammation).

Causes

The most common cause of dacryocystitis is obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including congenital abnormalities, trauma, infection, neoplasm, and aging.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dacryocystitis can include pain, redness, swelling, and discharge from the eye. In severe cases, it can also cause fever and general malaise.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of dacryocystitis is typically made based on the clinical presentation. Additional tests, such as imaging studies or culture of the discharge, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and identify the causative organism.

Treatment

Treatment of dacryocystitis usually involves antibiotics to treat the infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to relieve the obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for dacryocystitis is generally good. However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as cellulitis, abscess formation, or orbital cellulitis.

See also

• Lacrimal apparatus
• Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
• Epiphora