Nasolacrimal duct mucocele

Nasolacrimal duct mucocele represents cystic dilatation of the nasolacrimal apparatus secondary to proximal +/- distal obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

Clinical presentation

The presentation is common early in infancy, typically 4 days to 10 weeks. Infants present with small round bluish medial canthus mass identified at birth or shortly after +/- distal intra-nasal cystic lesion causing nasal obstruction. Symptoms may include:

• tearing or crusting at the medial canthus
• preseptal cellulitis

Pathology

Tears and mucus accumulate in the nasolacrimal duct with the imperforate Hasner membrane (distal duct obstruction) .

Radiographic features 

 The following triad of imaging findings :

• medial canthus mass that represents an enlarged lacrimal sac in contiguity with enlarged nasolacrimal duct
• enlarged osseous nasolacrimal canal secondary to an enlarged soft tissue nasolacrimal duct
• intranasal cystic mass which represents the inferior extension of the mucocele

Differential diagnosis

• medial canthus cyst: acquired dacryocystocele, orbital dermoid and epidermoid cysts
• intranasal cyst: nasal glioma, hemangioma and cephalocele

See also

• dacryocystocele

Siehe auch:

• Mucocele
• Dacryocystitis
• Dacryocystographie
• Ductus nasolacrimalis
• Mukozele des Tränensacks
• tuberkulöse Dacryocystitis