title: Prenatal diagnosis and perinatal outcome of congenital dacryocystocele: a large case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the incidence, prenatal diagnosis, and perinatal outcome in fetuses with congenital dacryocystocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  All cases of congenital dacryocystocele diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound were identified using an established perinatal database. Prenatal ultrasound images were reviewed, and perinatal outcome was abstracted from the medical records. The correlation between the cyst size, gestational age, and prenatal and neonatal outcome was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall incidence of fetal dacryocystocele was 0.016% (75/456,202). Fifty-three cases (70.7%) had unilateral, and 22 (29.3%) had bilateral lesions. Lesions were seen more commonly among female fetuses with a female : male ratio 1.48 : 1. The average diameter of cysts size was 6.9 ± 1.9 mm (3.3-11 mm). There was a direct correlation between cyst size and gestational age. Among the 75 cases, 8 were lost to follow-up, 3 underwent elective termination of pregnancy. 58 resolved spontaneously before birth, and 6 were confirmed at birth. Two developed neonatal infection requiring antibiotic treatment. All 6 cases confirmed at birth resolved without surgical resection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital dacryocystocele can be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. Such lesions typically resolve spontaneously in utero or in the early neonatal period. Thus, it should be considered as a developmental variant rather than a structural birth defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guo-yang
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiao-xian
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Errol R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Norwitz
authors.forename: Feng-zhen
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hua-Xuan
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Jing-ru
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Xiao-ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiao-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003560:Cysts / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult