Acute dacryocystitis often develops from chronic dacryocystitis, but it can also occur as an acute primary bacterial infection from the outset.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. Local: The lacrimal sac tissue exhibits acute cellulitis, congestion, swelling, fever, and severe pain. In severe cases, it can cause swelling of the upper and lower eyelids and the bridge of the nose, conjunctival membrane congestion and edema, aggravated tearing, and subsequent abscess formation with possible fluctuation. If the skin ruptures, a fistula forms. After the inflammation subsides, pus may drain through the fistula into the ethmoid sinus or nasal cavity.

2. Systemic: Systemic fever, elevated blood count, headache, swelling and tenderness of the submandibular and preauricular lymph nodes, and other discomforts.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. There is often a history of chronic dacryocystitis.

2. The lacrimal sac area shows significant redness, swelling, heat, and pain. In severe cases, there may be redness and swelling on the same side of the face and nose, as well as enlarged and tender preauricular and submandibular lymph nodes, accompanied by fever and general malaise.

3. If the abscess ruptures through the skin, it may form a lacrimal sac fistula.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Apply local heat or ichthammol ointment. If it matures, incise to expel pus and add drainage. After the inflammation subsides, treat it as chronic dacryocystitis.

2. In the early stage of inflammation, administer sulfonamides and systemic antibiotics.

bubble_chart Differentiation

It should be distinguished from eyelid abscess, eyelid cellulitis, hordeolum, vascular and neural edema in the lacrimal sac region, etc. However, lacrimal sac irrigation can be performed smoothly without obstruction. Moreover, other diseases have their own main characteristics, so the diagnosis is generally not difficult.