Frederick A Jakobiec1, Anna M Stagner1, Michael K Yoon2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA; David G. Cogan Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology, Boston, Mass., USA. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA; Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Mass., USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report a new entity discovered in the lacrimal drainage system, a congenital canalicular cyst (as opposed to a diverticulum or canaliculops). METHODS: Clinical, radiographic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were reviewed. RESULTS: A 49-year-old man developed a left upper eyelid cyst seen by CT scanning to be attached to a small boney spicule. No connection to the lacrimal sac or canaliculus was discovered during surgical excision. Histopathologically, the cyst was lined mostly by canalicular epithelium, expressing a cytokeratin profile similar to that of a normal canaliculus and canaliculops. CONCLUSION: This case increases ophthalmologists' appreciation of the range of conditions that can affect the lacrimal drainage and canalicular system. The treatment for a diverticulum is marsupialization, whereas that for a canalicular cyst is complete excision.
PURPOSE: To report a new entity discovered in the lacrimal drainage system, a congenital canalicular cyst (as opposed to a diverticulum or canaliculops). METHODS: Clinical, radiographic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were reviewed. RESULTS: A 49-year-old man developed a left upper eyelid cyst seen by CT scanning to be attached to a small boney spicule. No connection to the lacrimal sac or canaliculus was discovered during surgical excision. Histopathologically, the cyst was lined mostly by canalicular epithelium, expressing a cytokeratin profile similar to that of a normal canaliculus and canaliculops. CONCLUSION: This case increases ophthalmologists' appreciation of the range of conditions that can affect the lacrimal drainage and canalicular system. The treatment for a diverticulum is marsupialization, whereas that for a canalicular cyst is complete excision.