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.