Dacrocystocele
Encyclopedia
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.
The diagnosis can be made prenatally; routine obstetric ultrasound can identify the characteristic hypoechoic lesion inferior and medial to the globe. It is important to distinguish a dacrocystocele from the more serious encephalocele
, which is a neural tube defect.
If this diagnosis is not made prior to delivery, physical examination usually can provide sufficient evidence of its benign recognition. Timo cysts may spontaneously resolve or with pressure directed toward the nose; however, nasolacrimal duct probing may be required to open the obstruction. While usually filled with sterile mucus, dacryocystoceles occasionally become infected dacryocystitis
.
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...
, usually during prenatal development.
The diagnosis can be made prenatally; routine obstetric ultrasound can identify the characteristic hypoechoic lesion inferior and medial to the globe. It is important to distinguish a dacrocystocele from the more serious encephalocele
Encephalocele
Encephalocele, sometimes known by the Latin name cranium bifidum, is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal...
, which is a neural tube defect.
If this diagnosis is not made prior to delivery, physical examination usually can provide sufficient evidence of its benign recognition. Timo cysts may spontaneously resolve or with pressure directed toward the nose; however, nasolacrimal duct probing may be required to open the obstruction. While usually filled with sterile mucus, dacryocystoceles occasionally become infected dacryocystitis
Dacryocystitis
Dacryocystitis is an infection of the nasolacrimal sac, frequently caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The term derives from the Greek dákryon , cyst , and -itis . It causes pain, redness, and swelling over the inner aspect of the lower eyelid and epiphora...
.