Rhinosporidiosis of the lacrimal sac masquerading as chronic dacryocystitis: a rare presentation

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic infection of the mucous membrane caused by the Rhinosporiduim seeberi, which infects through transepithelial penetration. Although described worldwide, this entity is mostly found in the western hemisphere, afflicting young people, predominantly males, associated in many cases with recreational or professional contact with bath in ponds, rivers, or stagnant waters. The clinical features are varied depending on the affected membrane, in some cases mimicking other diseases postponing the correct diagnosis. Although nasal obstruction and epistaxis are the common clinical presentations in sinonasal rhinosporidiosis, patients with epiphora without a nasal mass often challenge the diagnosis. In the present case, we have documented a case of isolated lacrimal sac rhinosporidiosis masquerading as chronic dacryocystitis, which was successfully managed by endoscopic excision, accompanied by a literature review.

Esporotricose ocular: manifestações atípicas / Ocular sporotrichosis: atypical manifestations

Resumo A esporotricose humana e animal é uma infecção subaguda a crônica causada pelo fungo dimórfico Sporothrix schenckii. A esporotricose ocular tem ganhado destaque em função da epidemia de esporotricose urbana enfrentada pelo estado do Rio de Janeiro na última década e se apresenta classicamente como conjuntivite granulomatosa, mas formas atípicas podem ocorrer. Este artigo tem por objetivo relatar 2 casos atípicos de esporotricose ocular em pacientes imunocompetentes, ambos apresentando quadro clínico compatível com a síndrome oculoglandular de Parinaud associada à dacriocistite em um caso e presumivelmente à coroidite no outro caso.

Abstract Human and animal sporotrichosis is an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii, which is classified from subacute to chronic. Ocular sporotrichosis has been highlighted due to the epidemic of urban sporotrichosis faced by the state of Rio de Janeiro in the last decade and presents classically as granulomatous conjunctivitis, but atypical forms may occur. This article aims to report two atypical cases of ocular sporotrichosis in immunocompetent patients, both presenting a clinical picture compatible with Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome associated with dacryocystitis in one case and presumably to choroiditis in the other case.

Dacryoliths causing intermittent epiphora associated with a patent lacrimal system / Dacriolitíase causando epífora intermitente associada a um sistema lacrimal de patente

ABSTRACT We present two patients with dacryoliths and patent lacrimal drainage with intermittent tearing and without infection. Dacryoliths can be present in the lacrimal sac or lacrimal duct without acute or chronic inflammation. In these cases, we believe dacryolith formation was a causative factor of intermittent epiphora even with a patent drainage system, and we propose that dacryoliths and even fungal colonization formation may be the first event before dacryocystitis and should be considered as a cause of epiphora.

RESUMO Apresentamos dois pacientes com dacriolitíase e drenagem lacrimal patente com lacrimejamento intermitente, sem infecção. Os dacriolitos podem estar presentes no saco lacrimal ou duto lacrimal, sem inflamação aguda ou crônica. Neste caso nós acreditamos que a dacriolitíase foi um fator causador da epífora intermitente mesmo com sistema de drenagem patente e propomos que dacriolitíase e até mesmo a colonização fúngica pode ser o primeiro evento antes dacriocistite, e deve ser adicionada como uma das causas de epífora.

Sondaje de vías lagrimales previa dilatación canalicular con gel viscoelástico versus sondaje directo / Lachrymal duct probing after canalicular dilation with viscoelastic gel vs direct probing

Objetivo: comparar la técnica de sondaje de vías lagrimales previa dilatación canalicular con gel viscoelástico con el sondaje directo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo de cohorte no concurrente en 136 ojos pertenecientes a pacientes con obstrucción congénita del conducto lacrimonasal atendidos en la Consulta de Oftalmopediatría del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Pepe Portilla, de Pinar del Río, a quienes se les realizó sondaje de vía lagrimal, desde enero del año 2008 a julio de 2013. Se conformaron dos grupos de estudio, ambos de 68 ojos, uno con la técnica quirúrgica de sondaje directo, y un segundo grupo donde se aplicó dilatación previa de la vía excretora con gel viscoelástico. Resultados: en el primer grupo se presentaron complicaciones en el 45,59 por ciento. Se logró el 54,41 por ciento de curación y fue reintervenido el 32,35 por ciento. En el segundo grupo se logró el 97,92 por ciento de curación sin complicaciones incluyendo a 6 ojos de pacientes mayores de 3 años, y fue necesario reintervenir a un solo paciente. Conclusiones: el sondaje del conducto lacrimonasal previa dilatación con Healon minimiza las complicaciones y la necesidad de reintervención, y posibilita su empleo efectivo en pacientes mayores de 3 años(AU)

Objective: to compare the lachrymal duct probing technique after canalicular dilation canalicular with viscoelastic gel or with direct probing. Methods: prospective, analytical and non-concurrent cohort study carried out in 136 eyes from patients with congenital nasolachrymal duct obstruction, who were seen at the ophthalmological pediatric service in Pepe Portilla teaching pediatric hospital located in Pinar del Rio and who underwent lachrymal duct probing in the period of January, 2008 through July,2013. Two study groups were formed with 68 eyes each, one treated with direct probing, and the other with previous dilation of the excretory duct with viscoelastic gel. Results: the first group showed some complications in 45,59 percent of patients; 54,41 percent recovered and 32,35 percent were reoperated. In the second group, 97,92 percent managed to recover without complications, including 6 eyes from patients older than 3 years. It was necessary to re-operate a patient. Conclusions: nasolachrymal duct probing after dilation with Healon minimizes complications and need for reoperation, thus facilitating its use in patients aged over 3 years(AU)

Suppurative dacroadenitis causing ocular sicca syndrome in classic Wegener’s granulomatosis.

Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is a multisystem vasculitic disorder which can commonly afflict various components of the eye. Here we describe some unusual ocular manifestations of the disease in one patient. A young male with history of upper respiratory tract symptoms including epistaxis, nasal stuffiness and maxillary sinus pain presented with bilateral lacrimal gland abscess and ptosis. Lacrimal gland biopsy revealed granulomatous vasculitis. Lung cavities, positive cytoplasmic-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and high titers of serine proteinase-3 antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of WG. The patient developed dry eyes after a month of first presentation. There was no dryness of mouth, suggesting the absence of salivary gland involvement, and antinuclear antibodies as well as antibodies against Ro and La antigens classical of primary Sjogren’s syndrome were absent. Granulomatous vasculitis of lacrimal gland leading to abscess formation and dryness of eyes has not been described in WG and reflects the aggressive nature of inflammatory process in this disease.

Orbital abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis: case report / Abscesso orbitário secundário à dacriocistite aguda: relato de caso

Acute dacryocystitis usually induces preseptal infection. In rare instances the infection that is confined to the lacrimal sac can extend to the orbital contents resulting in orbital cellulitis. We present a case of intraconal abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis and review the literature of orbital cellulitis resulting from acute lacrimal sac infection.

A dacriocistite aguda comumente evolui para infecção pré-septal. Raramente a infecção localizada no saco lacrimal pode estender-se ao conteúdo orbitário resultando em celulite orbitária. Apresentamos um caso de abscesso orbitário intraconal secundário à dacriocistite aguda e uma revisão de literatura de celulite orbitária causada por infecção aguda do saco lacrimal.

Early experience with endoscopic assisted balloon catheter dacryocystorhiostomy

To conduct a pilot study investigating the safety and efficacy of balloon catheter dacryocystorhinostomy [DCR] in adult patients with acquired complete nasolacrimal obstruction. Nine balloon catheter DCR were performed in 9 patients [2 males and 7 females]. The mean age was 42 [ +/- 9] years with a range from 24 to 59 years. Only patients with patent canaliculi, normal eye lid function, no suspected lacrimal sac neoplasia, and acquired complete nasolacrimal obstruction due to chronic dacryocystitis and with duration of symptoms for more than 1 year were included in this study. Regular follow up settings were done at 1[st] week, then monthly after that to document the patient's subjective improvement, to judge ostium patency on irrigation, and to record any complications. The operation was classified as successful by the subjective disappearance of patient symptoms. A significant success [P < 0.05] was demonstrated in our cohort of patients. The success rate, 6 months after removal of the silicon tube, was 5 [71%] of 7 procedures on subjective basis of disappearance of patient symptoms and objective basis as tested by irrigation. No major complications occurred during or after surgery. Balloon catheter DCR is a simple, safe and effective alternative in the management of simple cases of acquired complete nasolacrimal obstruction in adults. It, provides a new standard in less invasive treatment of complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction and should be considered a first line management when DCR is considered. We do not recommend this technique in complicated cases such as lacrimal fistula and pyoceles since these cases would require a more extensive approaches with removal of the medial sac wall and a considerable widening of the naso-lacrimal osteotomy

Evaluation of the role of syringing prior to cataract surgery.

Patients for cataract surgery in India routinely undergo preoperative syringing to rule out chronic dacryocystitis. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of the clinical test of regurgitation on pressure over the lacrimal sac (ROPLAS) as a screening test for chronic dacryocystitis and compared it to syringing. 621 consecutive outpatients who needed syringing for various reasons (including 318 who had routine syringing prior to cataract surgery) were examined in a masked manner for regurgitation on pressure over the lacrimal sac. They then underwent syringing by a trained (masked) observer. The sensitivity and specificity of ROPLAS were 93.2% and 99.3%, respectively. Using a 6.6% prevalence of chronic dacryocystitis (the prevalence in our cataract population), the negative predictive value of the test was 99.5%. In the presence of regurgitation of pressure over the sac, the high specificity of ROPLAS confirms chronic dacryocystitis. In view of the opportunity costs, when ROPLAS is negative, preoperative syringing in cataract is perhaps unnecessary, unless the findings are equivocal or the index of suspicion for chronic dacryocystitis is very high.

Dacryocystitis associated with nasolacrimal duct cyst

An infant presented with persistent epiphora after successful probing of the lacrimal system. Examination of the nose showed a cystic structure occluding lower portion of the lacrimal drainage system. In cases of recurrent obstruction, nasal examination and endoscopic marsupialization may help guide the clinician towards the most appropriate treatment.

Congenital naso-lacrimal duct obstruction

Congenital nasolacrimal obstruction is the most common cause of tearing in infants, with an estimated occurrence rate between 1% to 6% of all newborns. In addition to tearing the child might also have matting of the eyelashes and mucopurulent discharge. In the following, the embryology of the lacrimal drainage system will be discussed as well as the incidence, presentation, pathophysiology, and management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with discussion of the success rate and optimal duration of stenting and the different complications

Dacriocistite crônica associada a mucocele etmoidal / Chronic dacryocystitis associated with etmoidal mucocele

É apresentado um caso de dacriocistite crônica associada a mucocele etmoidal, diagnosticada e operada na Escola Paulista de Medicina. Trata-se da dacriocistite crônica recidivada após tratamento cirúrgico, por näo se ter levado em conta esta possível associaçäo. É feita uma revisäo da literatura sobre o tema e säo enfocadas as vantagens do tratamento cirúrgico combinado através de etmoidectomia endonasal e abordagem endonasal do saco e conduto lacrimais