Acute dacryocystic retention

B. Smith, R. R. Tenzel, F. V. Buffam and J. R. Boynton

Acute dacryocystic retention is a disease of adults under 50 years old due to a noninfective foreign body blocking the nasolacrimal duct. It is characterized by the sudden onset of severe unilateral facial pain without significant localized swelling or erythema. Palpation of the involved lacrimal sac reveals slight induration and marked tenderness. Percutaneous aspiration of lacrimal sac contents, followed by probing of the nasolacrimal duct, is usually curative.