An Unusual Intranasal Anomaly of the Lacrimal Drainage System

Abstract

SUMMARY A newborn infant presented with a mass in the medial canthal area. Radiologic evaluation demonstrated this to be an abnormality in the nasolacrimal system. Examination of the nose showed a large cystic structure totally occluding the right naris. Surgical excision of the entire cyst was required to alleviate the patient's recurrent mucoceles of the lacrimal sac and epiphora. The need for nasal examination and more thorough evaluation in cases of recurrent obstruction is emphasized in evaluating patients with congenital obstruction of the nasolacrimal drainage system.

Congenital nasolacrimal duct cysts with nasal obstruction

“…In 1982 Raflo et al 2 first reported a case of a congenital dacryocystocele with cystic extension into the nasal cavity. Several reports 1,3‐8 have followed that describe this condition in larger numbers of patients. The cystic nasal extension may cause nasal obstruction and possibly respiratory distress.…”