Epiphora and unrecognized paranasal sinuses pathology

Abstract

Purpose to report five patients all presenting with persistent unilateral epiphora as a sign of unexpected and rare lesions causing Secondary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (SANDO) and the risks associated to an incomplete diagnostic work-up. Observations the cases presented are: (1) Fungus ball, (2) Pyogenic granuloma, (3) Sinonasal inverted papilloma (4) Sinonasal inverted papilloma with synchronous squamous cell carcinoma, (5) Squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac. Conclusions and importance masses are uncommon but not a rare cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Surgical teams performing large numbers of dacryocystorhinostomies should be aware of such pathology and perform a systematic multidisciplinary approach.