A Case of Acute Dacryocystitis Diagnosed after Surgical Treatment of Orbital Cellulitis and Orbital Abscess

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report a case of acute dacryocystitis diagnosed with abscess and rupture of lacrimal sac and fistula to posterior orbit during the operation. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old woman visited our clinic with edema and pain in the eyelid from three days ago. For past four months, there was viscous of the left eye and tears. The patient had severe conjunctival chemosis and hyperemia, compared with the left eyelid edema and redness. Orbital CT scan showed orbital cellulitis, which was followed by systemic antibiotics and steroid therapy. On the 4th day of therapy, orbital abscess formation was observed in orbit MRI and surgical drainage was planned. During surgery, we found rupture of the posterior part of lacrimal sac and fistula to posterior orbit. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in the bacterial cultures, and after the administration of appropriate antibiotics, the disease showed improved progress, and then additional dacryocystorhinostomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In our case, acute dacryocystitis rarely spread in orbit, which may lead to delayed diagnosis, orbital cellulitis and abscess, resulting in serious complications of vision threat. So, we think that it is necessary to consider surgical treatment more actively in the stage of chronic dacryocysitis.