Expulsion of a lacrimal dacryolith by sneezing: a rare event.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the case of a man presenting with intermittent epiphora of the right eye and a low grade dacryocystitis due to a dacryolith.


RESULTS
He was treated conservatively and was offered a Dacryocystorhinostomy. A few weeks before surgery, he developed swelling and pain over the right medial canthus followed by violent sneezing with spontaneous extrusion of the dacryolith.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors propose that the dacryolith fragmented spontaneously and once it reached the nasal cavity, was expelled by violent sneezing to the nostril, a mechanism not previously reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Reformation of dacryolith is a likely possibility, and recurrence of symptoms in such cases may ultimately require a Dacryocystorhinostomy.
Southampton Eye Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK. aysha_salam@yahoo.com
A
A
Salam
C P R
CP
Williams
R M
RM
Manners
D002137:Calculi / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology; D012912:Sneezing