Surgical management of diverticulum of the canaliculus.

Abstract

DIVERTICULUM of the canaliculus with the development of purulent inflammation has been previously described.¹The following case not only represents this condition, but a rational, yet simple surgical approach based on a known general surgical principle, ie, that of eliminating a blind passage. A 22-year-old white woman stated she had had epiphora of the right eye since birth. At age 12 years, she had her first probing of the right nasolacrimal duct. She states that the epiphora did not improve, and over the next ten years she had many (approximately 50) repeated attempts by probing to cure her epiphora. Examination in our clinic was normal in all respects with the following exceptions: (1) Epiphora was not present. (2) Pressure on the right lower lid resulted in a white creamy material being expressed from the right lower canaliculus. (3) Irrigation of the right lower canaliculus resulted in regurgitation of material.