Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital dacryocystocele. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 24 cases (38 eyes) with congenital dacryocystocele from June 2008 to June 2015 in Beijing Children's Hospital. Methods CT characteristics of 24 cases (38 eyes) were investigated. The surgical methods and postoperative effects were also assessed retrospectively. Main Outcome Measures  CT characteristics, treatment methods, and the efficacy. Results The common CT feature of congenital dacryocystocele was a round cystic image with low density at inner canthus, ipsilateral nasolacrimal canal enlargement with or without the inferior nasal passage mass. The inner canthus mass of 5 cases (5 eyes, 13.2%) disappeared after two weeks’ conservative therapy. 19 cases (33 eyes, 86.8%) with acute dacryocystitis, respiratory distress and no regression after two weeks’ conservative treatment were subjected to diverse surgeries. 5 cases (8 eyes，21.1%) without inferior nasal passage mass demonstrated by CT underwent probing under local anesthesia. The inner canthus mass all disappeared after the surgeries. 14 cases (25 eyes，65.8%) with inferior nasal passage mass verified by CT underwent endoscopic marsupialization under general anesthesia. The masses at the inner canthus and inferior nasal passage disappeared after the operations. Conclusion Computed tomography not only can show the prominent anatomical feature of congenital dacryocystocele definitely, but also can provide ancillary effect in surgical choice.

Key words: congenital dacryocystocele, computed tomography