Dacryocystitis

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, secondary to obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. It can be acute or chronic. The term derives from the Greek words dakryon (tear), kystis (sac), and -itis (inflammation).

Causes[edit | edit source]

The most common cause of dacryocystitis is obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including congenital abnormalities, trauma, infection, neoplasm, and aging.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of dacryocystitis can include pain, redness, swelling, and discharge from the eye. In severe cases, it can also cause fever and general malaise.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of dacryocystitis is typically made based on the clinical presentation. Additional tests, such as imaging studies or culture of the discharge, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and identify the causative organism.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment of dacryocystitis usually involves antibiotics to treat the infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to relieve the obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for dacryocystitis is generally good. However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as cellulitis, abscess formation, or orbital cellulitis.

See also[edit | edit source]


Dacryocystitis Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD