Dacryocele in an adult presenting as facial cellulitis

Abstract

A 47-year-old male presented with left sided facial cellulitis of one-week duration associated with a painful mass over the left medial canthal area. On examination, there was a firm, tender mass below the medial canthal tendon. Computed tomography scan revealed a bulky, cystic lesion at the left inferomedial orbit and medial maxilla with bony remodeling suggestive of a chronic dacryocele. The patient underwent marsupialization of the dacryocele at the inferior meatus with silicone tube intubation. His symptoms of epiphora resolved after surgery.

We describe a rare clinical presentation of dacryocele in an adult and its simple, yet effective treatment option.