Dacryocystitis
Encyclopedia
Dacryocystitis is an infection
of the nasolacrimal sac, frequently caused by nasolacrimal duct
obstruction. The term derives from the Greek
dákryon (tear
), cyst (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
s. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus
and Streptococcus pneumoniae
. The most common complication is corneal ulcer
ation, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae. The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotic
s, warm compresses, and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy
.
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
of the nasolacrimal sac, frequently caused by nasolacrimal duct
Nasolacrimal duct
The nasolacrimal duct carries tears from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity. Excess tears flow through nasolacrimal duct which drains into the inferior nasal meatus...
obstruction. The term derives from the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
dákryon (tear
Tear
Tear may refer to:*Tears, a type of eye secretion*Tearing, the ripping apart of something by force*Robert Tear, a Welsh singer-Elements in fiction:*Tear, a character Tear Grants in video game Tales of the Abyss...
), cyst (sac), and -itis (inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
). It causes pain, redness, and swelling over the inner aspect of the lower eyelid
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
and epiphora. When nasolacrimal duct obstruction is secondary to a congenital barrier it is referred to as dacrocystocele
Dacrocystocele
A dacryocystocele is a benign, bluish-gray mass in the inferomedial canthus that forms as a result of a narrowing or obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct, usually during prenatal development....
s. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
and Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is Gram-positive, alpha-hemolytic, aerotolerant anaerobic member of the genus Streptococcus. A significant human pathogenic bacterium, S...
. The most common complication is corneal ulcer
Corneal ulcer
A corneal ulcer, or ulcerative keratitis, is an inflammatory condition of the cornea involving loss of its outer layer. It is very common in dogs and is sometimes seen in cats...
ation, frequently in association with S. pneumoniae. The mainstays of treatment are oral antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
s, warm compresses, and relief of nasolacrimal duct obstruction by dacryocystorhinostomy
Dacryocystorhinostomy
Dacryocystorhinostomy is a surgical procedure to restore the flow of tears into the nose from the lacrimal sac when the nasolacrimal duct does not function.-Traditional:...
.
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