Eye
Lacrimal duct / gland
Dacryocystitis / canaliculitis
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2014
Last staff update: 23 December 2020
Copyright: 2004-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Dacryocystitis canaliculitis
Cite this page: Pernick N. Dacryocystitis / canaliculitis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyelacrimaldacryocystitis.html. Accessed September 21st, 2023.
Definition / general
- Often obscure origin; may be due to inflammatory spread from nose or conjunctiva
- Acute or chronic inflammation with suppurative, granulomatous or necrotizing features
- Fistulous tracts may form to skin below eyelid near base of nose
Terminology
- Canaliculitis: inflammation of lacrimal duct
- Dacryocystitis: inflammation of lacrimal sac
- Acute: ducts filled with purulent exudate
- Chronic: lacrimal canal narrows due to inflammatory thickening, epithelial hyperplasia
