Lacrimal Excretory System Concretions: Canalicular and Lacrimal Sac

Clinical features and surgical outcomes of primary canaliculitis with concretions

“…Dacryoliths have been reported in between 6% and 18% of dacryocystitis cases. [2,6,12–15] Ellis et al thought that the finding of concretions was diagnostic, and Pavilack and Frueh [3] established the diagnosis of chronic canaliculitis by the presence of expressible canalicular concretions. Lee et al also thought that concretions extruding from the punctum were an important characteristic and a sign for diagnosis with canaliculitis.…”

“…Perumal and Meyer reported the main symptoms being swelling and erythema; Pavilack and Frueh and Repp et al reported the main symptoms being epiphora, discharge, swelling, and unilateral conjunctivitis. [3,6,7] Hussain et al reported the main symptoms being chronic irritation, discharge, epiphora; Briscoe et al reported the main symptoms being epiphora, chronic conjunctivitis, swelling, and discharge. [4,5] However, all of the previously mentioned findings were based on a small sample of cases.…”

“…Berlin et al and Repp et al [2,6] compared the characteristics of lacrimal-sac dacryoliths and canalicular concretions; meanwhile, canalicular concretions were noted in all primary canaliculitis patients in a few study, [2–7] so the clinical symptoms and signs of canaliculitis also represent the clinical features of canaliculitis with concretions, but all of the those findings were based on a small sample of cases. To better characterize canalicular concretions in our current study, we retrospectively investigated a large case series of patients with canalicular concretions, and analyzed the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of primary canaliculitis with concretions.…”

Vertical Canaliculotomy With Retrograde Expression of Concretions for the Treatment of Canaliculitis

“…The presenting symptoms can often be confused for conjunctivitis or dacryocystitis, and thus, the diagnosis can potentially be missed for several years. 1,2 Conservative treatment with warm compresses combined with topical and/or oral antibiotics can temporarily quell the infection, although a high recurrence rate has been reported. 2 The bacteria associated with canaliculitis tend to form granules, which increase their virulence and make them more resistant to topical antibiotics.…”

Dacryoliths causing intermittent epiphora associated with a patent lacrimal system

“…Dhillon et al (4) reported that of 327 patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy, 7.4% had dacryoliths, Repp et al (5) reported a 6.7% incidence of dacryoliths, and Yazici et al (6) reported an overall frequency of dacryoliths of 7.4% in 163 cases, all with an obstructed nasolacrimal duct. Although the underlying etiology of dacryoliths remains unknown, various theories have been proposed (4) .…”