Acute dacryocystitis causing orbital cellulitis and abscess.

PURPOSE: Acute dacryocystitis commonly presents as preseptal cellulitis as lacrimal sac lies anterior to the orbital septum and hence infection localizes in the preseptal space. The purpose of this study is to describe presentation and management of cases of acute dacryocystitis presenting as orbital cellilitis and abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis.

METHOD: This retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series included 6 patients presenting with orbital cellulitis and abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis. All patients underwent drainage of abscess under general anesthesia. External dcaryocystorhinostomy was advised as the definitive treatment for all pateints.

RESULT: Abscess was localized in the extraconal space in 4 patients and in the intraconal space in 2 patients. Patients with intraconal abscess had visual loss on presentation while vision could be preserved in patients with abscess in extraconal space. Both patients with intraconal abscess had history of acute dacryocystitis.

CONCLUSION: Acute dacryocystitis is an ophthalmic emergency that can cause orbital cellulitis with abscess formation, and even vision loss, if left untreated.