A Case of Orbital Abscess Secondary to Dacryocystitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report a case of orbital abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis in which the patient had been cared for chronic dacryocystitis. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a history of chronic sinusitis from childhood and right chronic dacryocystitis treated for 6 years. She had sufferred from influenza 2 weeks previously and complained of painful lid swelling, limitation of ocular movement, exophthalmos, chemosis, and decreased vision of the right eye for 2 weeks. An orbital CT scan was taken and bacterial culture and sensitivity tests were done from the discharge. RESULTS: CT scan showed inflammation and abscess formation around the right nasolacrimal duct orifice which was swollen and widened. Some of the inflammation tissues extended into the retrobulbar portion. Streptococcus pyogenous was cultured. Lid swelling, pain, exophthalmos, and visual acuity improved after external dacryocystorhinostomy, and surgical drainage. CONCLUSIONS: We should be careful in a case of acute dacryocystitis underlying chronic dacryocystitis as it easily causes complications, and in such a case early surgical management as well as antibiotics therapy is more effective.