Mucormycosis Infection of the Lacrimal Sac

Abstract

Biopsy of the lacrimal sac for patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction has been a topic of debate for many years. The authors present a case of a 72-year-old immunocompetent woman with a 2-month history of epiphora secondary to nasolacrimal duct obstruction. During an uneventful dacryorhinocystostomy, a routine lacrimal sac biopsy was performed and revealed mucormycosis. After appropriate infectious disease consultation, intensive antifungal therapy was given uneventfully. The patient has not had any signs of active Mucor infection after treatment in 6 months of follow up. This case demonstrates the utility of routine lacrimal sac biopsy and stands as an example of the potential to miss a serious diagnosis.