Endonasal Microdebrider Assisted Excision of Congenital Intranasal Nasolacrimal Duct Cyst or Inferior Mucocoele

Congenital intranasal nasolacrimal duct (NLD) cyst is a rare clinical entity in the newborn whilst inferior mucocoeles are more common. We reviewed our case series of the management of patients presenting with congenital intranasal NLD cysts and inferior mucocoeles treated using powered instrumentation under endoscopic guidance.

A retrospective review identified three patients, between 2010 and 2013, who have had microdebrider assisted endoscopic marsupialisation of congenital intranasal NLD cysts under joint ENT and Ophthalmology care.

Diagnosis was made based on intraoperative endoscopic nasal examination carried out during treatment of patients with epiphora. All patients were 2 years old or younger presented with persistent epiphora since birth with sticky eyes. All had normal development with no other past medical history of note. Two patients had unilateral and one patient had bilateral congenital intranasal NLD cysts/inferior mucocoels identified. These were treated by endoscopic incision of the cyst with drainage of pus and excision of excess mucosal tissue using a powered microdebrider to effect marsupialisation and prevent re healing of the floppy redundant flaps of the incised cyst. No silastic tubes were placed. All patients were discharged from clinic 3 months post surgery with complete resolution of symptoms and no complications.

Microdebrider assisted endoscopic marsupialisation is a safe and effective treatment for removal of excess tissue in the treatment for congenital intranasal NLD cyst/inferior mucocoele whilst also obviating the need for silastic intubation and a further general anaesthetic for stent removal.