Abstract
Objective: Provide information on the clinical characteristics and management of an uncommon congenital nasolacrimal duct anomaly with intranasal cysts.
Method: Three cases of intranasal nasolacrimal duct cysts are presented with a brief literature review. Patients were presented from 2007 to 2010. Diagnosis was made by clinical observation and endoscopic examination with a search for a cyst in the inferior meatus. The intranasal cysts were successfully treated with nasal endoscopic marsupialization.
Results: We report 3 cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct anomaly with intranasal extension presenting as intranasal cystic masses. The first case is a 60 days old child presented with bilateral intranasal cystic masses that caused nasal obstruction and respiratory distress. The second case is a 1-year-old child presented with congenital dacryocystocele and coexisting ipsilateral intranasal cyst explored by nasal endoscopy. The last case is a 6 days old newborn presented with respiratory distress and found to have bilateral choanal atresia and left side intranasal cyst. All 3 cases were treated with nasal endoscopic marsupialization. All children with intranasal cysts were cured.
Conclusion: Because the extension of nasolacrimal cysts into the nose may lead to respiratory distress and difficulty in feeding, nasal examination must be performed to exclude coexistence of nasolacrimal cysts. Endoscopic marsupialization is a safe and curative treatment. Both ophthalmologist and otorhinolaryngologist should be involved in the diagnosis and management.
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