A treatment method for chronic suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis using chalazion forceps

Lacrimal Canaliculitis: A Major Review

Lacrimal canaliculitis is an inflammation of the proximal lacrimal drainage system. It classically presents with symptoms of redness, mucopurulent discharge, medial canthal swelling, epiphora, and pouting punctum. Despite having classical clinical characteristics it is frequently misdiagnosed. The cause can be primarily due to various infectious agents or secondary mostly due to the use of punctal plugs. There are no universally accepted guidelines for the management of canaliculitis but different medical and surgical options have been employed with varying success rates and it is notorious for recurrences and failure to therapy. The present review summarizes the existing literature on lacrimal canaliculitis published over the past 15 years to provide an overview of this uncommon condition. A total of 100 articles published in the literature were anlaysed during this period. The mean age at diagnosis was 57.09 ± 16.91 years with a female preponderance. Misdiagnosis was common with many patients misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis. Primary canaliculitis was found to be more frequent than secondary with inferior canaliculus involved more commonly than the superior. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Actinomyces were the most common microbes isolated. Surgical management was employed in 74.25% of cases while medical management was done in 20.82% of cases. The review presents an insight into the complexities of canaliculitis, its diagnosis, and management which will further help to improve the understanding of this uncommon infection of the lacrimal system.

Punctal dilatation and non-incisional canalicular curettage in the management of infectious canaliculitis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the outcomes of punctal dilatation and non-incisional canalicular curettage in patients with infectious canaliculitis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 53 canaliculi of 47 eyes of 46 consecutive patients diagnosed with canaliculitis was performed from November 2015 to December 2018. All patients were treated with punctal dilatation and a non-incisional canalicular curettage. Parameters studied include demographics, clinical presentation, microbiological analysis, management and treatment outcomes. The outcome measures were clinical resolution of canaliculitis and resolution of epiphora.

RESULTS

The mean age at presentation was 59.34 years with female preponderance (M:F = 19:28). Left eye was more affected (64%, n = 30) as compared to the right (36%, n = 17). Only one patient presented bilaterally. Lower canaliculus was most commonly involved (68%, n = 32). Six eyes showed involvement of both upper and lower canaliculus. Presenting symptoms include discharge (81%), swelling of the eyelids (64%), watering (55%), redness (51%) and pain (39%). Punctal dilatation and non-incisional canalicular curettage were performed using punctum dilator and a small chalazion scoop (1 mm Meyhoefer chalazion curette). Of the 53 involved canaliculi, 14 canaliculi of 14 eyes underwent a repeat curettage for complete resolution and 1 canaliculus underwent the same procedure thrice. The most common micro-organisms isolated were Streptococci species (28% cases). At a mean follow-up of 6.8 months, resolution of canaliculitis was achieved in all patients; however, epiphora persisted in two eyes (4%).

CONCLUSION

Non-incisional canalicular curettage is a minimally invasive technique with good preservation of the punctal and canalicular anatomy. It also facilitates good anatomical and functional outcomes in infectious canaliculitis.