Congenital dacryocystocele
G. J. Harris and D. DiClementi
Four cases of congenital lacrimal sac distention were managed in an
initially conservative manner to further elucidate the natural history of
the condition and to formulate a more systematic approach to its treatment.
In three cases, the abnormality resolved without nasolacrimal duct probing,
with no adverse sequelae. In one case, dacryocystitis caused by Serratia
marcescens, corneal astigmatism, and severe canthal distortion prompted
surgical intervention. The management of individual cases of
dacryocystocele should be influenced by the presence of inflammation, the
virulence of any infecting organisms, the induction of astigmatism and
anisometropia, and the degree of canthal distortion. Dacryocystocele
appears to be a more specific term for lacrimal sac distention than either
amniotocele or mucocele, and is not restricted to only one source of its
fluid contents.
