Background: Deposits (dacryoliths or foreign bodies) inside the lacrimal system can cause chronic inflammation and recurrent lacrimal stenosis. Furthermore, dacryoliths can occur due to chronic inflammation.
Objective: Considering typical clinical courses, the different localizations and surgical options for removing deposits from the lacrimal system are demonstrated.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 1451 lacrimal surgeries in 1131 patients was performed. Fourteen representative lacrimal surgeries of 11 patients were retrospectively analyzed in terms of current complaints, prior surgery, and the performed surgical intervention. In three cases, histologic findings of removed dacryoliths were assessed. The surgical approaches are described using precise photodocumentation.
Results: In 220 lacrimal surgeries (15.2 %), dacryoliths were detected. Iatrogenic foreign bodies were found in 0.8 % (n = 12). All chosen patients suffered painful chronic inflammation of the lacrimal system. Localization was either intrasaccular or intracanalicular. In 10 eyes, surgery was performed using a transcanalicular dacryoendoscope, either alone or in combination with another method. An external approach (transcutaneous/transconjunctival) was performed in 4 patients. Regarding the whole study population, dacryoliths were found in 16.9 % (n = 91) of dacryocystorhinostomies, in 14.6 % (n = 77) of dacryoendoscopies, and in 35.6 % (n = 52) of canaliculotomies.
Conclusion: Foreign bodies and dacryoliths are important differential diagnoses in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis. Different surgical approaches are possible and should be available for treatment. Patients' history often reports prior lacrimal surgery.
Keywords: Canaliculitis; Dacryocystitis; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Dacryoendoscopy; Lacrimal duct obstruction.