Dacryostenosis is obstruction or stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct, causing excess tearing.
Nasolacrimal obstruction may be congenital or acquired. One cause of congenital obstruction is inadequate development of any part of the nasolacrimal ducts. Typically, a membrane at the distal end of the nasolacrimal duct persists (valve of Hasner). There is tearing and purulent discharge; the condition may manifest as chronic conjunctivitis, usually beginning after the age of 2 weeks (most often at age 3 to 12 weeks).
There are many causes of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The cause is most often age-related stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct. Other causes include past nasal or facial bone fractures and sinus surgery, which disrupt the nasolacrimal duct; inflammatory diseases (eg, sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis [formerly Wegener granulomatosis]); tumor (eg, maxillary and ethmoid sinus tumors); and dacryolith.
mucous membrane pemphigoid, lichen planus), and radiation.
Diagnosis of Dacryostenosis
Clinical evaluation
Treatment of Dacryostenosis
Manual or surgical decompression
Treatment of underlying disorder
Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction often resolves spontaneously by about age 6 to 9 months; before 1 year, manual compression of the lacrimal sac 4 or 5 times a day may relieve the obstruction. After age 1 year, the nasolacrimal duct may need probing, usually under general anesthesia; if obstruction is recurrent, a temporary silastic tube may be inserted.
In acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the underlying disorder is treated when possible. If treatment is not possible or is ineffective, a passage between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity can be created surgically (dacryocystorhinostomy).
In cases of punctal or canalicular stenosis, dilation is usually curative. If canalicular stenosis is severe and bothersome, a surgical procedure (conjunctivo-dacryocystorhinostomy or C-DCR) that places a tube made of low thermal-expansion borosilicate glass (Jones tube) leading from the caruncle (the small, pink, nodule at the medial canthus) into the nasal cavity can be considered.
Key Points
Dacryostenosis is either congenital or acquired.
Symptoms include excessive tearing.
In congenital dacryostenosis, symptoms usually resolve by 9 months; manual decompression of the lacrimal sac may help.
In acquired dacryostenosis, treat the underlying disorder.
For both congenital and acquired dacryostenosis, surgery may be needed if symptoms persist.
