[Mycotic dacryocystitis related to naso-lacrimal stent. Case report]

A nasolacrimal stent was placed in a diabetic woman with a ten-year history of epiphora. Three months later the non-functional stent was removed and taken for histological study. A presumed diagnosis of fungical dacryocystitis was then established. An external dacryocystorhinostomy was performed and the obtained cultures confirmed Candida albicans as the infective agent.

Only 1.2% of all dacryocystitis are due to fungal agents. This possibility must be considered when evaluating a routine chronic dacryocystitis. Cultures should be obtained when removing a nasolacrimal stent in order to rule out different causes of nasolacrymal obstruction.