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Solid cast-forming actinomycotic canaliculitis: case report
Philippe Eloy1, Heidi Brandt, Marie-Cécile Nollevaux
1ENT & HNS Department, University Hospital of Mont-Godinne, Catholic University of Leuven, Yvoir, Belgium. philippe.eloy@orlo.ucl.ac.be
Rhinology
|July 1, 2004
Summary
Solid-cast actinomycotic canaliculitis, a rare cause of chronic red eye, involves Actinomyces infection forming solid casts in the tear duct. Surgical removal of these casts effectively resolves the condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Actinomycotic canaliculitis presents as a rare cause of chronic, unilateral red eye.
- It is often resistant to standard topical medical treatments.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman presented with a 12-month history of mucopurulent discharge from the right lower canaliculus.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a dilated right lower canaliculus with characteristic signal intensity changes.
Findings:
- Culture identified Actinomyces species.
- Surgical intervention successfully removed solid, yellowish casts from the canaliculus.
- Histopathology confirmed dense, basophilic conglomerates of filamentous organisms consistent with Actinomyces.
Implications:
- This case highlights solid-cast canaliculitis as a distinct clinical entity.
- Rhinologists performing lacrimal pathway surgery should be aware of this condition for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Prompt surgical intervention can lead to disease resolution.