Epiphora due to compression of the lacrimal sac by a supernumerary blind sac.
A 23-year-old male had suffered from epiphora in the left eye since childhood. There was no history of infection or trauma. A supernumerary punctum was seen in the left lacrimal caruncle on examination. Subsequent dacryocystography and computer tomography showed a blind-ended sac that was connected to the supernumerary punctum, but not to the normally developed nasolacrimal system. When distended with secretion, this blind-ended lacrimal sac caused compression and obstruction of the normal lacrimal drainage pathway, which led to epiphora. The epiphora disappeared after surgical removal of the supernumerary system.
Mansour
Khaled
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Hospital Groningen, Heerenveen, The Netherlands. k.mansour@ohk.azg.nl
Versteegh
Marieke
M
Janssen
Alfred
A
Blanksma
Lieuwe
L
D000328:Adult; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed