Korean J Ophthalmol.  2012 Dec;26(6):462-464. 10.3341/kjo.2012.26.6.462.

An Atypical Case of Lacrimal Sac Fistula Located on the Temporal Side of the Lateral Canthus

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. stramast@naver.com
  • 2Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.

Abstract

We report a case of congenital lacrimal sac fistula located on the temporal side of the lateral canthus. A systemically healthy 1-year-old girl came to the outpatient clinic with a complaint of tearing on the temporal side of the right lateral canthus since birth. On examination, a small orifice was found in the skin on the temporal side of the lateral canthus. There was no evidence of inflammation or swelling within the opening. Surgeons carried out an operation under general anesthesia. They passed a probe through the lacrimal orifice and advanced it toward the lacrimal sac. Next, they introduced saline to the inferior punctum and found that it drained to the lateral fistula. The lower lid stretched as the dissected fistula was pulled. After the operation, the patient was free of the symptom. This paper is to report a case of congenital lacrimal sac fistula located on the temporal side of the lateral canthus.

Keyword

Lacrimal sac; Lateral; Fistula

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
*Eye Abnormalities
Female
Fistula/*congenital/diagnosis
Humans
Infant
Lacrimal Apparatus/*abnormalities
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/*congenital/diagnosis

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A small orifice was found in the skin on the temporal side of the right lateral canthus and the watering increased on weeping or blinking.

  • Fig. 2 (A) The probe ran straight in the direction of the lacrimal sac. (B) The fistula was exposed, and (C) the lower lid was stretched as the dissected fistula was pulled laterally.


Reference

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3. Zhuang L, Sylvester CL, Simons JP. Bilateral congenital lacrimal fistulae: a case report and review of the literature. Laryngoscope. 2010. 120:Suppl 4. S230.
4. Blanksma LJ, vd Pol BA. Congenital fistulae of the lacrimal gland. Br J Ophthalmol. 1980. 64:515–517.
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