Canaliculocele presenting as a medial canthal mass

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 May-Jun;25(3):236-8. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e3181a3379b.

Abstract

Canaliculocele is an extremely rare cause of a medial canthal mass. The authors report 2 cases in which painless medial canthal masses occurred. A 77-year-old man presented with a nontender, firm mass in the medial canthal area. This mass was located at the common canalicular level and was observed to obstruct lacrimal outflow. It was determined to be filled with mucinous material and was connected with the canaliculi. A 40-year-old woman had a fluid-filled globular cyst on her lower eyelid. The cyst was found to consist of dilated inferior canaliculus wall from the punctum to the common canaliculus. On histopathologic examination, the 2 cases shared a common feature: the walls were composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which was compatible with the canaliculus. Canaliculocele should be considered in the differential diagnoses of a medial canthal mass.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cysts / complications*
  • Cysts / diagnostic imaging
  • Cysts / pathology
  • Cysts / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / complications*
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / pathology
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / surgery
  • Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / etiology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Acoustic