Incision-sparing management of canaliculitis.

PURPOSE: To report our results of canaliculitis treatment with our incision-sparing technique which includes dilation of the punctum and compression of the canaliculus to express the sulphur granules, curettage and irrigation of the canaliculus with antibiotic solutions, and topical antibiotic use. METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated for canaliculitis between October 2009 and March 2013 were rewiewed. The punctum of affected canaliculus was dilated under local anesthesia. Then, starting just distal to common canaliculus, the horizontal canaliculus was compressed along its entire length using either a forceps or a cotton tip applicator on the conjunctival surface and a curette on the skin. Compression was repeated until no more sulphur granules appeared and the swelling of the canaliculus disappeared. A chalazion curette was inserted into canaliculus to evacuate any residual concretions. The canaliculus were irrigated with antibiotic solutions and the patients were prescribed topical antibiotic solutions for one month Patients with follow-up less than 3 months after the intervention were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Nine patients met criteria for canaliculitis. There were 1 male and 8 female patients. Median age of the patients was 53 years (range 36-72 years). All patients had unilateral lower canaliculitis. Mean duration of the symptoms was 13.4 months (range 4-36 months). We followed up all patients for at least 3 months after the intervention. The signs and symptoms resolved completely in all patients within 1 month and recurrence was not observed in any patient. No patients reported epiphora after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Our incision-sparing technique is effective in the treatment of canaliculitis. We suggest that minimally invasive or incision-sparing techniques be attempted before canaliculotomy to decrease postoperative complications rates.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report on the clinical manifestations, species and treatments of patients with chronic canaliculitis. METHODS: From August 2003 to February 2012, 77 eyes of 77 patients who were diagnosed with chronic canaliculitis at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean period from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 4.7 months. The most common systemic disease associated with chronic canaliculitis was diabetes (18 eyes, 23%), and 13 eyes (17%) were related to punctual plug insertion. Main symptoms consisted of epiphora with discharge and pouting punctum. In the culture results of 55 eyes, streptococci, staphylococci, and actinomyces among other bacteria were identified. Seventy-two eyes (94%) were cured with one-snip punctoplasty with curettage. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic canaliculitis is rare, and the clinical aspect can be obscured by chronic conjunctivitis, thus the diagnosis is often delayed. In patients who have systemic diseases such as diabetes or past history of punctual plug insertion, chronic canaliculitis should be differentiated by observing the punctum more closely. If the diagnosis is accurate at the time, chronic canaliculitis could be easily cured by a relatively simple procedure such as one-snip punctoplasty with curettage.

Canaliculite: relato de caso e conduta / Canaliculitis: case report and conduct

A canaliculite é uma infecção rara e crônica do canalículo lacrimal, cuja etiologia mais comum é o Actinomyces israelli (bactéria gram positiva, anaeróbica). Esta afecção não apresenta cura espontânea. O diagnóstico diferencial se faz com: conjuntivite crônica recorrente, blefarite e hordéolo. O tratamento definitivo é o cirúrgico (canaliculotomia), sendo realizado sob anestesia local.

The canaliculitis is a rare infection and chronicle lachrymal pathology, whose commoner etiology is Actinomyces israelli ( bacteria anaeroby positive gram). This pathology does not present cure espontany The diagnosis differential with is done: Recurring chronic conjunctivitis, blefarity and hordeoly. The definitive treatment is the surgical (canaliculotomy)), being accomplished under location anesthetizes.

Treatment of the SmartPLUG-related Canaliculitis

PURPOSE: To report on the treatment approach of canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use and its clinical manifestation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of eight patients who had canaliculitis after the insertion of the SmartPLUG was conducted. RESULTS: Seven out of eight cases with canaliculitis related to the SmartPLUG required extraction of the SmartPLUG. While four cases were removed with only retrograde massage, two cases required surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use is rarely reported. However, canaliculitis as a complication is difficult to treat and often leads to surgery. In canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use, retrograde massage as a non-surgical method for the simple and effective removal of the SmartPLUG can be beneficial.