Dacryops (Lacrimal Cyst) in Three Young Labrador Retrievers

Abstract

This case series constitutes a report of dacryops in multiple Labrador retrievers and the use of smooth-muscle actin immunostaining to confirm the lacrimal duct origins of the cyst wall. Three Labrador retrievers were presented with a history of a slowly enlarging mass adjacent to the left medial canthus. Ultrasonography of the masses revealed they were each spherical, thin-walled cystic structures. Aspiration cytology was performed in two cases revealing mixed inflammation and absence of detectable microorganisms. Dacryocystorhinography of the left nasolacrimal system performed in two cases revealed a normal nasolacrimal system that was closely associated, but not communicating with, the cystic mass in both cases. Surgical excision of all cysts was curative. Histopathology and positive immunohistochemical staining for smooth-muscle actin confirmed a diagnosis of dacryops in all cases.

Orbito‐nasal cyst in a young European short‐haired cat

“…Based on negative immunohistochemical staining for α‐smooth actin, we conclude that the cyst did not originate from lacrimal gland tissue or ductules, 2 which supports our assumption of a canalicular origin for the cyst.…”

“…This was recently described in a report of three cases of dacryops in young Labrador retrievers by Ota et al. 2 …”

“…Cystic lesions in the periorbital area are rare in domestic animals 1 . In dogs, reported cases include dacryops, 1–4 congenital medial canthal cyst, 5 canaliculops, 6 cystic dilatation of the nasolacrimal (NL) duct, 7,8 maxillary bone epithelial cyst, 9,10 suspected epithelial cyst, 11 periorbital epidermoid cyst, 12 cholesterol granuloma, 13 zygomatic salivary mucocele and cysts of the frontal and nasal sinuses 1…”

Use of a sclerosing agent (1% polidocanol) to treat an orbital mucocele in a dog

“…Dacryops, or lacrimal duct cysts, are reported infrequently in the veterinary literature. The majority of reports were in Bassett Hounds 5 and Labrador retrievers, 13 all of which were young dogs (1‐year‐old or younger) that had palpable, ventromedial subconjunctival swellings. The proposed pathogenesis was a congenital abnormality associated with ectopic lacrimal tissue 13 .…”

“…The majority of reports were in Bassett Hounds 5 and Labrador retrievers, 13 all of which were young dogs (1‐year‐old or younger) that had palpable, ventromedial subconjunctival swellings. The proposed pathogenesis was a congenital abnormality associated with ectopic lacrimal tissue 13 . Inflammation that weakens the wall of the lacrimal duct, resulting in dilation and distention, has also been proposed 13 .…”